i^pfisipipiifiiiiiiiiip^^^^ 







I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, % 

I Shelf -^^J^^t-^^- I 



^ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 



31 ^ouvenxx. 




?6. 



Jl ^oxtvcxxiv 



OF THE 



gfs inception, g^ottstrucfton, 
anb '^ebicciiioxx 



WITH ILLUSTRATIONS 



PRINTED FOR, 



HEZEKIAH CONANT 



BOSTON 

Forbes Lithograph Manufacturing Company 

1893 



14 



TO THE 



^e^cenbanU of "glogcr gonant, 

THE FIRST PILGRIM PURITAN AND FIRST GOVERNOR 
OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY, 

"§^21^ ^ook is most respectfwCC^? §nscrt6e6. 



PREFACE. 



When this book was commenced I had no 
thought beyond making a small souvenir of the 
dedication of the Conant Memorial Church; but 
as I worked at the compilation, the history of 
the church in Dudley seemed as interesting to me 
as the record of my ancestors; and as building 
the church and trying to provide for the preach- 
ing of the Gospel was practically a part of the 
town's business in the time of those early settlers, 
it is not easy to say much about them and have 
their work not well understood. I judged also 
that the historical sermon of Rev. Mr. Francis 
would be acceptable, even if seasoned slightly 
with the religious dogmas of that day, inasmuch 
as it gives a great deal of the early history of 
the locality in a very clear and concise manner. 
In the history of the first church, I have made 
copies from the old records of the town as the 
best form in which to preserve it. 

I have been unable to find any record of the 
action of the Church in reference to the building 
of the edifice destroyed in 1890, but suppose that 
it was built largely by a committee of the town 



/ 



viii PREFACE. 

and Church Society, and not a little by private 
enterprise, aided by money obtained by sub- 
scriptions. I have no doubt that some records 
were made at the time, but not being cared for 
directly by the Church or town, they were left 
in private hands, and may have become lost or 
destroyed. In these later days the writer believes 
that denominational lines are less sharply defined, 
and it is his hope that pure Christianity, untram- 
melled by exacting and uncertain creeds, will 
eventually become more and more developed, 
and the life and conduct of individuals be accepted 
as the best evidence that their hearts arc made 
right, and their calling and election sure; and 
more than that, they will be able to act on 
the assumption, and show to mankind the 
path to a higher life, and the way to a better 

world. 

HEZEKIAH CONANT. 

Pawtucket, R.I., 1893. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Dedication v 

Preface vii 

The Conant Memorial Church i 

Laying of the Corner-stone 9 

Consecration of the Bell 19 

Description of the New Church 35 

Programme of Exercises at the Dedication, and 

Anthems 33 

Dedication of the New Edifice 37 

Chairman's Address 3S 

Conant Hymn opp. 39 

Poem 40 

Historic Address 45 

Letter of Presentation 56 

Afternoon Exercises 63 

Names and Addresses of Members of the Conant 

Family invited to attend the Dedication . 64 

Copy of a Discourse by Rev. James H. Francis . 69 

Extracts from Dudley Town Records .... 94 

Records of the Conant Family 115 

Records of the Healy Family 129 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



/portrait, Hezekiah Conant Frontispiece 

v/ Main Street before the Fire .... ofp. page i 

V Old Church, 1S24-1S90 " 5 

- Interior, Second Church 

•/The Corner-stone ' ^^ 

y Scene at laying of the Corner-stone, 

October 16, 1S90 " ^3 

•^ New Church ^3 

V Conant Memorial Tablet " -*^ 

^ Knight Memorial Tablet " 27 

n/ Interior, Conant Memorial Church . . " 3^ 

^ Interior, Conant Memorial Church . . " 33 

/ Conant Memorial Window " 37 

/ Portrait, Judge Chester C. Conant . . " 3^ 

i Portrait, Thomas Conant, Escl- .... " 40 

V Portrait, Frederick Odell Conant . . " 45 
^ Portrait, Sylvia Ferguson Conant . . " 61 

V Main Street, since Fire of 1S90 ... " 64 

V House of William Carter, in which the 

First Dudley Town Meeting was held, 

IN 1732 ■>-> 

■ Floor Plan of First Church, showing 
Location of Pews, from Old Town 

" 10^ 

Records ^ 



"i^^c gonanf ^ilcntortaf §&uxc^. 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 



O 



N Tuesday afternoon, June 3, 1890, the 
town was thrown into great excitement by 
the discovery that the old Congregational Church 
was on fire, and that there was great danger that 
the whole of the property on Dudley Hill would 
be swept away by the devouring element if help 
from Webster was not forthcoming. It was the 
laro-est fire the town of Dudley ever suffered. 
Flames were discovered issuing from the roof of 
the church, just below the bell-deck, by some of 
the students of Nichols Academy, about two 
o'clock. The alarm was given, and the citizens 
and pupils of the Academy began at once to fight 
the fire. When first seen, the blaze was but small. 
Meanwhile the fire on the roof was spreading 
rapidly. As soon as ladders could be procured, 
and spliced together, they were raised to the roof 
and efforts made to quench the flame by means 
of extinguishers; but for some unknown reason 
only one could be made to work, and that could 
not be reloaded. This method was abandoned, 
and the slow process of passing water up thirty 
feet of ladder commenced. A hole was cut in the 



3 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

steeple, that water could be carried upstairs and 
passed to men on the roof. For a time it seemed 
that the flames were getting under control; but 
they were at work in the steeple, above the roof, 
and suddenly blazed out near the bell, spreading 
above and below, until steeple and roof were one 
seething mass of flames; then the fire got the 
mastery, and the church was doomed. Help had 
been called for from Webster, and now the people 
were anxious, for the sparks were flying over the 
hill in great clouds, setting fire to roofs on the 
adjacent houses. The eftbrts of those fighting 
the fire were directed to keeping it back from 
the houses, and prevent spreading. The first to 
take fire from the church was the Pratt house, 
occupied by Thomas M. Larned, and owned by 
H. Conant, who had purchased it only a little 
more than a year before, and then the Morris 
house, occupied b}^ the Misses Jewett; both of 
these buildings, with their barns, were completely 
consumed. 

Most of the furniture was removed from the 
houses, and tools and wagons from the barns, and 
then the buildings were abandoned to the flames. 
The house and barn leased by the Misses Jewett 
were a few rods further north, — the barn being 
the most exposed, — and every exertion was made 
to save them, but all was unavailing. The store, 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 3 

dwelling-house, and barn of Moses Barnes, lying 
next to the Morris house, were much exposed; 
the furniture was removed from the house, wet 
carpets spread on the roof and gable of the store, 
and water poured on all the roofs. The chances 
were ten to one in favor of the fire, and it seemed 
that the street north of the church must go; but 
before the flames could spread further, the fire 
department of Webster arrived, and quickly had 
them under control, saving the Barnes property. 
Considerable difficulty was experienced in finding 
sufficient water, as wells and cisterns were quickly 
exhausted; but these made up in number what 
they lacked in size. Nearly every building north 
of the church was several times on fire. Across 
the street also the buildings suffered. The old 
Bemis store and the Methodist Church were on 
fire, and in considerable danger, but a stream 
from the steamer put it out. The efforts of the 
firemen were rewarded by confining the fire-loss 
to the church and the houses and barns before 
mentioned. 

The run of the Webster fire department, with a 
steamer, a hose company, and the hook and ladder 
company, was one of the best pieces of work ever 
accomplished by it. The two and a half miles to 
the fire were covered in just twenty-eight minutes 
from the time the alarm was telegraphed from the 



4 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Academy telegraph office. When the firemen and 
their apparatus reached the church, they were 
obliged to keep shifting from well to cistern, as 
one after another was drained, in this way fight- 
ing the fiames under great disadvantage, but soon 
obtaining control of them. 

The fire is supposed to have started from sparks 
from a tinman's stove. Extensive repairs were 
being made in and around the church, and two 
workmen were attending to some tin work in a 
part of the belfry, both unconscious of the fire 
burning a few feet below them. They were 
apprised of their danger, and barely escaped be- 
fore the belfry and roof were all ablaze. When 
first seen, the flame on the roof was but little 
larger than a man's hand. The alarm was first 
given by Frank Nichols and Henry Barnes, two 
Nichols Academy students, who were at the well 
after water. The church and Academy bells were 
rung, the former until the rope burned off. As 
soon as the fire was found to be serious, the call 
for aid was telegraphed to Webster, and the fire 
company quickly responded. 

The spire remained until the last. The bell fell 
upon the granite steps and into the basement, 
where it was found broken after the fire. Most 
of the smaller pieces of the bell were taken by 
some of the former worshippers as relics, but the 




Old eHui^cH 

DUILT jol-^ —Bv/RNED 18.90. 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 5 

larger were recast in small bells and lacquered 
for souvenir paper-weights. 

It is, however, a very ill wind that blows 
nobody good ; and this is agreeably enforced in 
the calamity on Dudley Hill, for no sooner was 
the church in Dudley burned than the people 
commenced to make arrangements for building 
anew. A snug sum was alread}' in the treasury, 
placed there to pay the cost of repairing the old 
edifice. Each day letters were received contain- 
ing expressions of sympathy and generous offers 
to assist in rebuilding. A meeting was appointed 
for Monday night, June 9th, in Washington Hall; 
but another agency had been at work. Sunday 
morning, as the congregation rose to receive the 
benediction, Hezekiah W. Williams stepped for- 
ward and read the following letter: — 

Pawtucket, R.I. , June 5, 1890. 
To H. W. Williams, Esq.., Dudley, Mass. 

My Dear Sir., — The old Dudley Church is gone, — gone 
up in a chariot of fire and smoke. I felt sad when I heard of 
it, as if an old friend had departed this life, never more to 
be seen by us here. Although I might truthfully say that 
I sympathize with the Dudley people in their great loss, yet 
I feel it as much a bereavement to myself as to them. I 
have many recollections associated with the old structure, 
extending over the last half-century, and among them the 
periodical " fixing up," repainting, whitewashing, repairing, 



6 777^ CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

alterations, additions, and subtractions, to say nothing of 
divisions which those events vs^ere a^Dt to cause among the 
congregation. I presume enough money has been spent from 
time to time, which, if it could be put together, would build 
a new and much better structure than the people of Dudley 
ever dreamed of. But the old building still remained ; its tall 
spire was useful as a landmark, and a very convenient point 
of reference, visible as it was at a great distance in every 
direction ; but the framework of the church building was not 
of the highest order. It was constitutionally weak, and of 
course the high winds of winter beating upon the tall steeple 
would make the building sway and rack its joints, causing 
the plastering of the walls to crack, and thus to a great 
degree baffle the attempts made from time to time to have 
them look neat and nice. 

In short, the old church made a better impression upon the 
beholder from an outside point of view than from the interior, 
and it was more to be respected as a landmark than as a 
comfortable building for use as a place to i^eceive divine 
instruction. And it may be that in this case the cloud has 
a silver lining, and I am disposed not to consider it so great 
a calamity. At any rate, it gives me pleasure to have an 
opportunity to ofler to erect at my own expense a new church 
for the use of the Dudley Congregational Church and Society, 
as follows : 

I hereb}' ofler to erect a new church building, the 
walls to be of brick, the roof to be slated, the tower 
to have a suitable bell and clock ; the interior to be 
complete as to pews and pulpit, and furnished with 
efficient modern heating and ventilating appliances, 
and to have the same seating capacity as the old 
church, but with a smaller room beneath for a vestry 
for use of the Sunday-school and for conference meet- 
ings ; and when complete to give it to the Dudley 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 7 

Congregational Church and Society, and their suc- 
cessors, by formal deed, reserving a right to myself 
and heirs to one pew free from tax, and a privilege to 
put in a memorial window, or tablet, as I may choose, 
to perpetuate the memory of my family and ancestors. 
I will commence to have plans and specifications 
drawn as soon as the Church and Society signify their 
acceptance of this offer, but I would not like to do it 
against the wishes of any reputable member of the 
body. 

Yours truly, 

H. CONANT. 

Monday evening, in Washington Hall, the offer 
was accepted, and a committee of three appointed 
to draft a letter of thanks to Mr. Conant for his 
timely gift. Motions were made to pay the church 
debt of about four hundred and fifty dollars with 
the money subscribed, and another committee 
appointed to learn the wishes of the subscribers. 
It was stated that the representatives of insurance 
companies remarked that they were sorry to draw 
their checks for only a thousand dollars apiece. 
All having agreed to leave the two thousand 
dollars insurance for a sort of nest-egg if possi- 
ble, the meeting adjourned to Tuesday evening, 
June 17th. 



^m?ing of t^e @orner=§fone. 



LAYING OF THE CORNER-STONE. 



The corner-stone of the new church was laid 
on Thursday, October i6, 1890, at half-past one. 
Some two hundred and fifty of the inhabitants of 
Dudley and neighboring towns, with a company 
from Pawtucket, R.I., assembled to witness the 
event. The Doxology was sung, prayer was 
offered, by Rev. H. A. Blake of Webster, and the 
sealed copper box was placed by Mr. Conant in 
its receptacle under the corner-stone. Rev. T. C. 
Richards, the pastor of the Dudley Church, read 
a list of the contents of the box, as follows: "Copy 
of letter of H. Conant to H. W. Williams and 
reply of the Church Committee; copy of a dis- 
course delivered on Fast Day, April 9, 1835, ^y 
Rev. James H. Francis, one of the former pastors 
of the old church, and containing an historical 
sketch of the town of Dudley; current manuals of 
the Congregational churches of Dudley, Oxford, 
and Webster; annual report of officers of the 
town of Oxford; Tax Book, 1890, of the town of 
Lincoln, R.I.; report of officers of the town of 
Dudley; report of town of Webster; Tax Book, 
1890, of the city of Pawtucket, R.I.; current daily 
and weekly papers, — Boston 'Journal,' Boston 
' Herald,' New York ' Tribune,' Worcester ' Spy,' 



12 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

' Harper's Weekly'; copy of the Webster 'Times' 
containing article on destruction of the old church; 
lists of officers for 1890 of the towns of Webster 
and Southbridge; photograph of the old church; 
officers and members of the Dudley Church and 
Society, 1890; photograph of the Conant family; 
a collection of United States coins of 1890, and a 
quarter eagle of 1878; piece of bell of old church; 
photograph of Mr. Conant's summer residence at 
Dudley; a ten-cent Government scrip of 1863; 
one dollar United States silver certificate; postage 
stamps." 

The members of the Conant family and the 
pastor of the church laid the mortar, and the 
corner-stone was lowered to place and declared 
by Mr. Conant duly laid. After the benediction 
by Rev. Alexander McGregor of Pawtucket, Mr. 
Conant's pastor, the company adjourned to the 
Alumni Hall. In the hall, after singing ''How 
Firm a Foundation," Mr. Conant introduced Charles 
F. Wilcox of Providence, the architect, who, by 
the aid of plans and a sketch, explained the style 
and details of the proposed new edifice. 

Mr. Conant then read the following address, to 
which the response of general applause was 
given: — 

My Dear Friends of Dudley and Vicinity, — It is 
proper for me to say a few words on this occasion. As you 
know, I have pledged my word that I will erect at my own 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 13 

expense this church of which the laying of the corner-stone 
to-day is an earnest of that promise. Though practically of 
no more importance than the foundations already in, and 
materials gathered on the ground in readiness, yet it is marked 
by these ceremonies, and is therefore a proper and fitting 
time for saying what I do. As my ancestors were among the 
early settlers in this town, and their ashes are in its soil, 
it is but natural that I should desire to erect some sort of 
memorial to perpetuate their memory, that the generations to 
come may know about them, and that their history might be 
preserved. 

The destruction of the former church by fire last June gave 
me an opportunity which I have acted upon. Obtaining con- 
sent of the Church and Society, I have procured designs from 
several diflerent architects, decided upon present plans, have 
entered into contracts for labor and material, and men are 
already at work, materials are arriving, and the erection of the 
structure is fully assured. If any one may say that in doing 
this I am selfish, and am seeking self-glorification, I shall have 
nothing to apologize for. I shall admit that I have taken 
advantage of the financial helplessness of this Church and 
Society to promote my scheme, call it selfishness if you will. 
We are not asked to divest ourselves of regard for ourselves or 
our household. For I cannot help seeing that Christianity 
itself appeals to man's higher selfishness for his consideration 
that he may be persuaded to enter the service of God, for there 
the reward is greater and more enduring, and full of joy, 
peace, and happiness than any other course can bring. In 
this case, in addition to the preservation of the history of my 
family, I am putting in the hands of the people of Dudley a 
useful structure, a convenient place of worship, and a house 
where they can sit sheltered from chilling winds or tailing rain 
or scorching sun, and listen to such religious instruction as the 



14 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

people may receive from teachers and preachers elected by 
them from time to time for that purpose. The human mind 
needs such religious instruction, and in the erection of this 
building I take satisfaction in placing in their hands the means 
of providing themselves with this acknowledged necessity, in 
a more comfortable and satisfactory shape, I trust, than the 
old structure could possibly have furnished ; whether or not 
in this I am fulfilling a high duty, is a matter in which the 
responsibility comes upon myself alone. 

In placing any conditions ujoon the gift, I feel that I have 
not wisdom enough to say what doctrine should be taught, or 
what forms or ceremonies practised. Yet I must admit that I 
have listened to many and many a sermon, heard the eloquence 
of learned divines, have seen the religious ceremonies of civi- 
lized communities, and many times have tried to learn what 
was the direct and immediate efl^ect, and must confess my 
inability to have clearly seen always a sanctifying result. But 
there are some things which do commend themselves to 
thoughtful minds as elements of Christianity, at least so it 
seems to me, among which is a disposition to promote peace 
on earth and good-will among men. 

Those who lived in this town a half-century ago can remem- 
ber well the bitterness engendered here by different religious 
opinions prevailing ; but in thinking over the matter, while I 
cannot say but what they were all sincere, yet there was an 
element of crudeness and barbarity in it, and I hope these 
conditions will never again recur. In looking back I can 
see that the men of to-day who are prominent and resj^ected 
citizens cannot claim that they owe their present position 
entirely to the religious instruction of their early youth as it 
was delivered from the pulpit. All the minister can do, it 
seems to me, is to present new forms of truth to his congre- 
gation on the Sabbath, earnestly study to be able to present 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH, 15 

new ideas to the people, subjects of thought for them to 
mentally digest and assimilate, and thus promote mental and 
spiritual growth. He should be a man of education and of 
a chai-acter that will command the respect of the community, 
and he should consider that the higher type of Christianity 
cannot flourish where ignorance prevails. Science and Chris- 
tianity should go hand In hand. 

The day for dogmatic teaching has passed, I trust, and, so 
far as an intelligent congregation is concerned, has no more 
effect than the sound of whistling wind or howling storm. 
God has given us brains and books. His sun shines upon the 
wicked as well as the good, and the rain falls on the just and 
the unjust. Let us thank Him for all His goodness. It is in 
this manner He gives to the people of Dudley this new temple 
for His service, and on them falls the responsibility that it will 
be used in a way that will best serve His purpose, and bring 
honor to the community and respect for the religion it pro- 
fesses. I certainly shall feel rewarded if I can ever see that 
this memorial of mine shall prove to be such a useful and 
beneficial structure, and the teachings of those who minister 
here in sacred things will influence the community to a higher 
tone of religious thought, and promote peace, good-will, and 
brotherly love. 



Consecration of t^e "gScff. 



THE CONSECRATION OF THE BELL. 



On Tuesday, September 29, 1891, occurred a 
pleasant ceremony, incidental to the building of 
the church. A few friends of Hezekiah Conant, 
desiring to show their appreciation of him and of 
his generosity, raised about twelve hundred dollars, 
and an order was given F. Fuller of Providence 
for a bell in F, which was completed and ready to 
be raised from the entrance floor to its final posi- 
tion in the tower on that morning. A special car 
attached to the morning train leaving Providence 
at ten minutes past nine at Pawtucket took aboard 
Gen. Olney Arnold, ex-Gov. A. H. Littlefield, 
Lieut.-Gov. H. A. Stearns, and others, with their 
ladies, who all enjoyed a pleasant trip to Webster, 
and thence to Dudley Hill by carriages. 

The people of the parish had assembled in 
goodly numbers, and at once elected Governor 
Littlefield as moderator of the meeting. Prayer 
was offered by Rev. Mr. Richards, pastor of the 
church. A hymn was sung by the company, 
following which the moderator delivered a very 
happy address on bells, their origin, uses, and 
benefits, closing with the following quotation: — 

" To call the fold to church in time, we chime ; 
When joy and mirth are on the wing, we ring ; 
When we lament a departed soul, we toll." 



20 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

William H. Park then presented the bell to the 
Church Society, and read the following: — 

To THE First Congregational Church and Society, 
Dudley, Mass., — We, the undersigned, friends of Hezekiah 
Conant, being desirous of testifying our appreciation of his 
generosity in the erection for your use of the beautiful house of 
worship now approaching completion, and with a desire to 
help on the good work, beg to present a bell, which we trust 
may for many years call you and your children to the house of 
God, and we also hope that its tones may sei"ve to keep in 
perpetual remembrance our mutual friend, who has done so 
much for the town of Dudley. 

J. M. Addeman. Charles H. Smith. 

Olney Arnold. Jude Taylor. 

Henry F. Barrows. George M. Thornton. 

Sarah Blodgett. William E. Tolman. 

E. R. Bullock. Winslow Upton. 

H. N. Daggett. William E. Wilson. 

Samuel Foster. George Bion Allen. 

Darius L. Goff. John A. Arnold. 

Lyman B. Goff. E. G. Blodgett. 

Lyman T. Goff. W. H. Forbes. 

James H. Kingman. Charles L. Knight. 

A. H. Littlefield. Samuel D. Knight. 

Mrs. D. G. Littlefield. Fred. R. Mason. 

Charles Matteson. Charles E. Pervear. 

Charles P. Moies. E. A. Perrin. 

William H. Park. H. A. Stearns. 

C. E. Peirce. E. L. Freeman. 

Charles Sisson. L. B. Darling. 

The bell was very appropriately accepted in 
behalf of the Society by Rev. Mr. Richards, and 
a congratulatory address in a humorous and happy 
vein was delivered by Rev. Alexander McGregor 
of Pawtucket. The bell was raised to the tower, 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 21 

and soon its sound rang over the hills and vales 
of Dudley town. 

Short speeches were then delivered by Lieut.- 
Gov. Stearns and General Arnold. The choir sano- 
"Chime of the Bells." A vote of thanks was 
extended to Mr. Park, to which he very modestly 
responded, not forgetting the assistance which 
came from the contributors. The inscription on 
the bell is, " Presented to the First Congregational 
Church and Society of Dudley by friends of 
Hezekiah Conant, 1891." Mr. Conant and his 
family then entertained the company at his sum- 
mer home until the time for departure, late in the 
afternoon. 




^'^'--•'■'-^, 



pc^cripfion of t^e ^cw @^urc^. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CHURCH. 



The new church is located on the site of the 
old one, which was of wood, erected in 1823, and 
destroyed by fire on the 3d of June, 1890. This 
structure is built of brick, with underpinning and 
basement of native granite, and trimmings of 
brownstone. It is in the Romanesque style of 
architecture, seventy feet in length, and forty-four 
feet in width, with transepts, each five by thirty- 
four feet, and a tower in the centre of the front 
facade sixteen feet square and seventy-eight feet 
high, terminating in round turrets at the four 
corners, each three and one-half feet in diameter, 
and between which is the bell story, opening by 
a double arch on each side of the tower. Above 
this opening is a lookout, guarded by wrought iron 
railings, and reached by a winding iron staircase 
from the bell deck. Below the bell story is a 
clock with four dials, each seven feet in diameter. 
This clock is of excellent workmanship, and has 
two interacting pendulums and other improvements 
invented by H. Conant. Cut in a stone band, fol- 
lowing the arch over the front entrance, are the 
words, "Behold the Tabernacle of God is with 



26 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Men," and in a round panel at either side of the 
arch the dates "1732" and "1890." 

The principal entrance to the edifice is through 
a vestibule to a hall in the tower, twelve feet 
square, which is also entered from the left through 
a staircase hall connecting with the basement, and 
from which a door opens to a carriage porch, six- 
teen feet square, at the southeast angle of the 
building. At the right of the main entrance hall 
is a staircase leading to the gallery, which extends 
across the east end of the audience room. From 
the entrance hall two doors open to the audience 
room, between which doors, on the wall facing the 
entrance, is a bronze tablet. (See opposite page.) 

The audience room is forty-four feet by fifty- 
one feet, with walls fourteen feet high above the 
floor, with an open trussed roof thirty-four feet 
high in the centre. It is lighted by an elegant 
stained glass window in each transept, with smaller 
windows at the sides, and a beautiful and appro- 
priate memorial triple window back of the pulpit. 
This window represents Roger Conant, the immi- 
grant ancestor of the donor of the church, preventing 
a fight between Capt. Miles Standish and Captain 
Hewes, over the latter's taking possession with his 
men of a certain fishing stage belonging to the 
Plymouth Colony. This incident is noted at con- 
siderable length in " The Landing at Cape Anne," 








[HE SERVICE? OF-G 

reAtrsEOF^CHMsa 

_!^^^ .THE^sPSOMOTlt)N*^O^SClj 
^^^jrJf^TOTW^ifeSr INTERESTS^ 

^^rrivAs ERECtED BY HEZEKlAHlScfftANT. 

AND rS GIVEN^BYBIM TO fSl^ ■ 
: y- FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCft 
;- . " ANIX SOCIEn'iOF DUDLEY . IN TRUS T . - 

C- : : .- "^■-•- ^ X MONUMENT ""^'-"^ • :. ^?- 

TO PERPETUATE THf MEMORY OF HIS ANCESTORS i 

A TRIBUTE OF AFFECTION. TO^HIS^PARENTS. 

HERVEYANmDOLLY €GNANT. 

WHO -W-ERE BORN . LIVED AND LIE BURIED 

IN THIS TOWNv:^ 

A COMFORTABLE HOUSE 

FOR-TBE PEOPLE OF THE VICINIXY TO ASSEMBLE IN 

FOR WORSHIP, FOR RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION . 

AND FOR SOCIAL. BENEVOLENT AND 

-.^... . SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES. . % 



'■^^ ~ —■ . » ^ 



\"? ^ >: 



^^''^S^^fe^^^ 




THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 27 

by John Wingate Thornton, published in 1854. 
Roger Conant was governor, 1624-28, of this 
colony, the first permanent colon}^ on the territory 
of the Massachusetts Company. 

On the audience-room wall, between the entrance 
doors, and beneath the gallery, is a bronze tablet 
in memory of Mrs. Conant's father and mother. 
(See opposite page.) 

The walls of the entrance hall and audience 
room are panelled four and one-half feet high, and 
the wall back of the pulpit is panelled seven and 
one-half feet high, rising to ten feet under the 
memorial window. There is also a light wooden 
cornice at the springing of the roof trusses. The 
woodwork is of whitewood, except the trusses, 
which are of hard pine, and all is stained dark, 
with decoration upon the trusses representing in- 
laid work, and the panels behind the pulpit relieved 
by a chain border in gold. The walls and ceiling 
are decorated in plain tints, with simple borders. 
At each side of the arch which spans the pulpit 
platform is a smaller arch. Under the right arch 
are the organ and choir platform, and the left arch 
is closed by a wall which bears in plain letters the 
Beatitudes, and behind which is the pastor's room, 
from which a door opens upon the platform, and 
stairs connect it with the basement. The pews 
in the audience room are of oak, and will 



28 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

accommodate three hundred upon the floor, and 
eighty-five in the gallery. 

In the basement is a Sunday-school room, thirty 
and one-half feet by thirty-four and one-half feet, 
from which a smaller room, fifteen and one-half 
feet by thirty and one-half feet, and a class-room, 
twelve feet by thirteen feet, are separated by roll- 
ing partitions. There are also a class-room, eleven 
feet by twelve feet; a kitchen, nine feet by ten 
feet, with pantry, cooking range, and sink; and 
furnace and coal rooms. 

The building was designed by C. F. Wilcox, 
architect, of Providence. The granite work was 
done by Woodbury & Lamson of Oxford; and 
brickwork and plastering by George F. Hall of 
Dudley; the carpenter work by C. A. Vaughan of 
Worcester; the stained glass and decorations were 
designed and executed by the Tiffany Glass and 
Decorating Company of New York; the heating 
apparatus by L. White & Son of Oxford ; the light- 
ing fixtures by C. H. McKenney & Co. of Boston; 
the clock was made by the E. Howard Watch and 
Clock Company of Boston; the pews and pulpit 
furniture by the Globe Furniture Company of 
Northville, Mich.; and the bell, which was cast 
by F. Fuller of Providence, was a gift to the 
Church by a number of personal friends of Mr. 
Conant. 



THE CON ANT MEiMORIAL CHURCH. 29 

The organ is a very fine instrument, having been 
built especially for this church by the old organ 
firm of Hook & Hastings, Boston. It has two 
manuals and a pedal, each representing a division 
of the instrument, known as the swell, the great 
and pedal organ. The casing is of antique oak, 
and the front is elaborately decorated and hand- 
somely finished. It is valuable in the church as 
an aid to the choir and congregation in their 
devotional music. 



^ebication of f^e ^ero (^bifice. 



DEDICATION PROGRAMME. 

MORNING SERVICES AT 12 O'CLOCK. 

I Organ Volmitary, Offertiore hi G . . . Lee/ebre Wely. 

3 opening Anthem, "God is our (Refuge" . ■ Morrison. 

_5 Invocation I . . . ^ev. H. W. Conant, 

4 (Reading of the Scriptures ) 

^ Somervt'lle, Mass. 

K Address by the Chairman . . Hon. Chester C. Conant, 
Greenfield, Mass. 

6 Hymn, "0 Thou Whose Own Vast Temple stands," Conant, 

' Music composed for the occasion. 

7 Address and Toem Thomas Conant, Esq., 

OskaTva, Canada. 

8 A Short History of the Conant Family, Fred. 0. Conant, Esq. 
g Anthem, "How ^Beautiful on the Mountains," The Choir. 

lo Letter of "Presentation H. Conant. 

II Gloria Tatri ^^^ ^^^''^• 

12, (Response, Accepting the Edifice . . Rev. T C. Richards. 

13 Prayer of Consecration . . . Rev. Alexander McGregor, 
■^ ^ ■' Pa-wtucket, R.I. 

14 Anthem, "Hark! hark! My Soul" . . . The Choir. 

ij (Doxology, "Praise God from Whom," etc.. Congregation. 

i6 (Benediction. 

ij Organ Postlude, "Hallelujah Chortis" . . . .Handel. 

AFTERNOON SERVICES AT 2.30 O'CLOCK. 

I Organ, Andante movement from Fifth Symphony, (Beethoven. 
3 Anthem, "0 Thou to Whom in Ancient Time," Morrison. 

3 Invocation and Lord's Prayer . . Rev. E. S. Tingley, 
-^ Milford, Mass. 

4 Responsive (Reading of Scripture . Rev. T. T. Filmer, 
^ Webster, Mass. 

5" Hymn. 

6 Address ^^■^'- ^ H Pettibone, 

Southbridge, Mass. 

7 Address '^^'^- ^- ^- ^''^^'^^' 

Boston, Mass. 

8 Anthem, "In Heavenly Love abiding." 

o Address Prof A. T Perry, 

■^ Hartford, Conn. 

lo ThankOffering, Tenor Solo— "Fear not Ye,OIsrael," (Buck. 

II (Dedicatory Prayer (Rev. H A. Blake, 

Webster, Mass. 
12, Hyr/in. 13 Benediction. 14 Organ Postlude. 



34 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 



ANTHEMS FOR MORNING SERVICE. 



ANTHEM I. 

God is our refuge, our refuge and strength, a present help in time 
of trouble, therefore will not we fear. 

Though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried 
into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be 
troubled ; 

Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof, the Lord of 
Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. 

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of our 
God, 

The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the 
midst of her, she shall not be moved, God shall help her, and that 
right early. 

The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His 
voice, the earth melted. 

Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolation He hath made 
in all the earth. He maketh war to cease. He breaketh the bow, and 
cutteth the spear in sunder. He burneth the chariot in the fire. 

Be still, and know that I am God ; behold the wonders of the Lord, 
the triumph of His deeds record; behold that stream, His written 
Word. Our refuge is Jacob's God. Amen. 

ANTHEM n. 

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messengers that 
bring good tidings of good, that publish salvation, that say unto Zion, 
Thy God reigneth, that publish peace. 

ANTHEM in. 

Hark ! hark ! my soul : angelic songs are swelling 
O'er earth's green fields, and ocean's wave-beat shore; 

How sweet the truth those blessed strains are telling, 
Of that new life when sin shall be no more ! 

Refrain — Angels of Jesus, angels of light. 

Singing to welcome the pilgrims of the night. 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Onward we go, for still we hear them singing, 
Come weary souls, for Jesus bids jou come; 

And through the dark its echoes sweetly ringing, 
The music of the Gospel leads us home. 

Refrain — Angels of Jesus, etc. 

Far, far away, like bells at evening pealing. 
The voice of Jesus sounds o'er land and sea; 

And laden souls by thousands meekly stealing. 
Kind Shepherd, turn their weary steps to thee. 

Refrain — Angels of Jesus, etc. 

Rest comes at length, though life be long and dreary; 

The day must dawn, and darksome night be past; 
All journeys end, in welcome to the weary. 

And heaven, the heart's true home, will come at last. 

Refrain — Angels of Jesus, etc. 

Angels, sing on ! your faithful watclies keeping; 

Sing on sweet fragments of the songs above. 
Till morning's ]oy shall end the night of weeping, 

And life's long shadows break in cloudless love. 

Refrain — Angels of Jesus, etc. 



03 



36 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 
ANTHEMS FOR AFTERNOON SERVICE. 



ANTHEM I. 

O Thou, to Whom in ancient time 

The lyres of Hebrew bards were strung, 

Whom kings adored in songs sublime, 

And prophets praised with glowing tongue, 

To Thee, to Thee shall all flesh come. 

As did the kings in ancient time 

Adore Thee in their songs sublime ; 

So I in fervent, gladsome strain 

Will praise and bless Thy holy name; 

To Thee at last, in every clime, 

Shall temples rise, and praise be sung. 

ANTHEM H. 

In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear, 
And safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here; 
The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid. 
But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed? 

Wherever He may guide me, no want shall turn me back, 
My Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack. 
His wisdom ever waketh ; His sight is never dim; 
He knows the way He taketh, and I will walk with Him. 

Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen ; 

Bright skies will soon be o'er me, where darkest clouds have been. 

My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free. 

My Saviour has my treasure, and He will walk with me. 

TENOR SOLO. 

Behold ! there shall be a day when the watchman upon the mountain 
top shall cry aloud: Arise ye! get ye up unto Mount Zion, unto the 
Lord your God, for thus saith the Lord. 

Fear ye not, O Israel, neither be thou still dismayed; refrain thy 
voice from weeping, and thine 6368 from tears, for I, the Lord, am with 
thee, and will save thee. 

I have loved thee with everlasting love, and have redeemed thee. 

Why criest thou in thine aifliction .'' why mournest thou in nightly 
watches.? I have redeemed thee; therefore thus saith the Lord. 

Sing ye aloud with gladness, thy mourning is turned to joy ; I, even 
I, have redeemed thee; be glad and rejoice. 

Thy sorrows are ended, and great shall be thy peace; rejoice and be 
glad. 



DEDICATION. 



A BRIGHT, cold day was Thursday, the day set 
apart for dedication of the church built by 
Hezekiah Conant of Pawtucket, R.I., for the Con- 
gregational Church and Society of Dudley. 

At the exercises there was a large attendance, 
the new church being filled to its utmost. Among 
those present were people from all over the States, 
and some thirty-five members of the Conant family, 
including Revs. H. W. Conant of Somerville, 
Mass., and Charles A. Conant of Voorheesville, 
N.Y. ; Harlan Page Conant of Mount Vernon, N.H. ; 
James S. and Deacon William H. Conant of Boston, 
Mass.; Nathaniel Conant of Brookline, Mass.; 
Edward D. Conant of Newton Centre, Mass.; 
Harrison J. Conant of Worcester, Mass.; Henry S. 
Bunton of Hyde Park, Mass.; John A. Conant of 
Willimantic, Conn.; Luman E. Conant of Waltham, 
Mass.; George M. Thornton of Pawtucket, R.I.; 
Thomas Conant, Esq., of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, 
poet of the day; Judge Chester Cook Conant, and 
his daughters Martha and Charlotte Conant, of 
Greenfield, Mass.; Mrs. Lucy C. Conant; Fred. 



38 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Odell Conant of Portland, Me., historian of the 
family; Henry N. Leavens of Boston, Mass.; also 
Rev. Charles L. Goodell; William H. Forbes of 
Boston, Mass.; Rev. Alexander McGregor; Eben 
McGregor of Pawtucket; Mrs. D. G. Littlefield. 

The ceremonies of the day commenced at twelve 
o'clock by the organ voluntary, followed by the 
anthem, " God is our Refuge," by a quartette from 
Pawtucket, consisting of Miss Alice Wentworth, 
soprano; Miss Ada Byron Coombs, contralto; Fred. 
S. Gardner, tenor; C. PI. Bos worth, basso; with 
John F. Adams as organist, under whose direction 
the selections were rendered, to the delight of 
all who listened to the programme. After the 
invocation and reading of the Scriptures by 
Rev. H. W. Conant, Mr. H. Conant introduced 
Judge Chester C. Conant, who, as chairman of the 
day's proceedings, read the following address of 
welcome: — 

Brethren and Friends, — In the name of the generous 
benefactor, who has erected this costly and beautiful structure 
for the worship of Almighty God, we welcome you to-day to 
the services of this auspicious occasion. 

We congratulate this parish and this historic town in the 
possession of this beautiful building, so perfect and so well 
equipped in all its parts. And we rejoice that there is a man 
amongst us who thus out of his liberal heart, in his love to 
God and his fellow-men, gives his gifts himself, and acts as 
his own executor. 




JUDGE CHESTER C. CONANT. 



J^SSSJStPS", C-J^B 



j/^ :^.C orja-T^i-, /S9/ ■ 




^ ^^^ i j;^j | ::;qj; f,.ir. Wk;m 




1. O thou, whose own vast temple stands, 

Built over earth and sea, 
Accept the walls that human hands 
Have raised to worship thee ! 

2. Lord, Irom thine inmost glory send, 

Within these courts to bide. 
The peace that dwelleth without end. 
Serenely by thy side ! 



3. May erring minds that worship here 

Be taught the better way ; 
And they who mourn, and they who fear. 
Be strengthened as they pray. 

4. May faith grow firm, and love grow warm. 

And pure devotion rise, 
While round these hallowed walls the storm 
Ol earth-born passion dies. 

IVilllam Cullen Bryant. 1K35. 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 39 

And we of the Conant name also especially rejoice that his 
name is Conant, that he descended from that godly man, that 
peacemaker of the colony, the first citizen and the first gov- 
ernor of Salem, Roger Conant, the immigrant. 

We do well to honor the memory of such men in these 
latter days, to place in prominence enduring memorials of the 
greatness and true nobility of their lives and characters. 

Who can measure the good influences of the life and 
example of such a man as Roger Conant, and those like him 
and with him, in moulding the moral character of New 
England? Her God-fearing men, her progressive ideas in 
business and mechanics, the influence of her schools and 
colleges, now pervade every part of the country. From 
Lexington and Bunker Hill to Gettysburg and Appomattox, 
her sons, true to their principles, have never failed to stand 
for freedom and progress, and when occasions required, to 
even suffer and die for them. 

Let this memorial stand for generations yet to come as an 
honorable token of our veneration and our love for all that 
was good and noble in their lives and character. 

The 113-11-111 " O Thou Whose Own Vast Temple 
stands" was sung to music composed for the 
occasion by Mrs. Samuel Morris Conant. 

" ' In a certain sense all men are historians.' 
'■ History is the essence of innumerable biog- 
raphies,' says Carlyle. ' History casts its shadow 
far into the land of song.' Song and story, story 
and song, together preserve the record of the 
deeds of the fathers, their noble daring, their 
heroic suffering, and their glorious success. 



40 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

" I am happy to introduce to you, as the poet of 
this occasion, a true descendant of Roger Conant, 
the immigrant, who is also a loyal subject of the 
Queen of Great Britain, who is respected and 
beloved for her many virtues by all Americans, — 
Thomas Conant, Esq., of Oshawa, Canada." 

THE POET'S ADDRESS. 

Mr. Chairman, Fei.low Conants, Ladies and Gentle- 
men, — In the past I may have not been particulai-ly proud to 
be a Conant, — to-day I am, and I hope the pleasure you 
derive from meeting me is as great as is mine in meeting you. 

Proud, I say, I am of the Conants, for evidently they have 
been and are a sturdy race, and to-day at this " gathering o' 
the clans " the heart of every Conant must swell v^ith pride 
when he thinks he has descended from the immigrant Roger 
and such sterling English stock. 

You must kindly let me premise my remarks and poem, 
and tell 3^ou frankly that I am the only British Conant in 
America to-day from old Roger ; and if my forefather did fight 
for the King during the Revolution, I am pleased to know that 
he did so from honest conviction, and that he had the manli- 
ness to stand up and out for such convictions, when it must 
have been a great thing to do to stem the tide when the great 
majority of the inhabitants of the colonies were on the other 
side. 

Yes, he voluntarily left houses and lands, when the war 
terminated, and came to Canada in 17S6, then an unbroken 
wilderness. 

It shows his sturdy character, at any rate. Family tradition 
tells me he brought his wife and family from this great State 
of Massachusetts, througli the wilds of New York, by an ox 




THOMAS CONANT, ESQ. 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 41 

team and wagon, and on to Niagara, fording the streams at 
their mouths where they debouch, and following the tortuous 
shores of Lake Ontario, past the site of the present beautiful 
city of Toronto, and down the shore to Oshawa, where he built 
his cabin, October, 1786, beside a beaver meadow, that he 
might cut the hay growing thereon for his oxen during the 
approaching winter, and take salmon from the stream for food 
for himself and family. 

Hence I am Canadian and British, and I can, I am sure, 
indulge in the hope, after a total separation of both branches 
of the family for one hundred and three years, that no Conant 
here to-day within sound of my voice will harbor any unkind 
feelings towards me on that score. You love your country, 
and I esteem you for it, and surely you will accord to me the 
like privilege of loving mine and honoring our Queen, the 
irreproachable Victoria. 

E7Z passant^ every Conant here to-day must feel it away 
down deep in his heart that our friend Hezekiah Conant has 
done us all honor. 

While he has honored himself he has honored us as a clan, 
— I use the Scotch word, for I know none better, — and I feel 
a debt of gratitude to him for so signally and yet unostenta- 
tiously presenang the family name from in any manner drop- 
ping into oblivion. 

To Mr. F. O. Conant of Portland we must all feel deeply 
grateful, for had he never spent seven long years in unravelling 
the skein of our family history we certainly would not have 
known each other this day, nor would we have had this most 
pleasant meeting. 

And now for my poem ; since charity, you all acknowledge, 
must cover a vast multitude of sin, so must you let poetic 
license cover all the defects of my poem. 

I have done mv best : no man can do more. 



42 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

I am happy to meet, jou, mj kindred and friends, 

And your welcome is pleasant to me ; 
I being the only Canadian branch 

Of our wide-spreading family tree. 

In looking along our ancestral line, 

I find much honor and fame 
Has been won by the Conants in ages past, 

That for one I am proud of the name. 

Our English forefathers were sturdy and brave 

On the platform, in pulpit, or fight; 
They were found in the van, and struggled and fought 

For what they conceived to be right. 

Two hundred and sixty-eight j'cars ago 

Brave Roger came over the sea, 
And by him from the Old to this Western world 

Was transplanted our family tree. 

He came seeking liberty, fortune, and fame. 

That he came of right good stock 
He proved by his life, for no worthier man 

Ever landed on Plymouth Rock. 

From him have descended all Conants to-day 

Who inhabit this Western sphere. 
They're a pretty large family, too, I should think, 

From their representatives here. 

When the great Revolution swept over the land. 

And men were determined to sever 
The links that bound them to Britain so long. 

And to be independent forever; 

When our forefathers diftered, as honest men will, 
And were found on each side in the fray. 

Some fought with the patriots, some with the King, 
But the patriots carried the day. 

You may ask on which side I think was the right, 

But of course I should not like to saj' ; 
To be loyal is good, to love freedom is grand, 

And perhaps the right carried the day. 

No doubt, there was tyranny, taxes, and laws 

Too hard for the people to bear; 
Yet /am proud that my forefather fought for the King, 

Tho' I might not if I had been there. 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. .13 

lie proved he was honest in -what he professed, 

For when the great struggle was o'er, 
He followed his flag far awav to the North, 

Till he reached the Ontario shore. 

His one yoke of oxen drew all he possessed. 

As he went on his trackless way; 
The " North Star" his guide in the darkness of night, 

A " blaze" on the trees in the day. 

The snarl of the panther, the howl of the Avolf, 

Or tread of deadlier foe, 
Gave warnings of danger and perils unseen. 

Yet he pressed on his way onward, when lo! 

A sound like the noise of a battle afar. 

He heard with a wondering ear, 
And the farther he went the louder it grew, 

Until wonder was changing to fear; 

Till at last he stood at Niagara's brink, 

Where resistless the waters flow. 
And with thunderous sound leap from rocks above 

To the rocks in the gulf below. 

Down the river he crossed, rejoiced he had braved 

The dangerous, pathless track; 
For there waved from the staff of Fort St. George 

His flag, the old Union Jack. 

The King gave a home to all loyalists then. 

As in old Rome they used to do ; 
So they gave him a grant of the public land 

Because he had been loyal and true. 

Thus / come from the land of the maple leaf. 

And you'll not think me less if in thought 
And deed I am true to the flag of St. George, 

For which my brave ancestor fought. 

And I love your flag of the stripes and the stars. 

For I know that around the world 
It is known as the emblem of freedom and hope 

Wherever it has been unfurled. 

Like two loving sisters, then, let us agree 

With each other to be honest and true ; 
We're neighbors, with each a great work to perform, 

And there's plenty of land for t~Mo. 



44 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

I know by that book on the sacred desk, 
By your prayers, and the hymns you sing, 

Tho' in some things we difter, we all of us bow 
To the one great Heavenly King. 

I am proud as I stand in this temple of God 
(Though a Conant unknown to fame), 

That this beautiful temple was conceived and built 
By one of my kindred and name. 

Long, long may he live, and when he is dead 

Of him shall the story be told, 
That he lived for his neighbors, and glorified God, 

Like good Hezekiah of old. 

May we all learn a lesson to work while we live. 

So when we are under the sod 
Our memory may honor not only the name, 

But our kindred, our countrj', and God. 



Chairman Conant then introduced Mr. Frederick 
Odeli Conant as follows : " Every man constructs 
his own biography; but it often happens that the 
essence of the story of true and noble lives is lost 
because the only record of them is written on the 
memory of friends, who soon in their turn must 
pass away. 

" We are fortunate in having with us to-day one 
who has with untiring diligence gathered materials 
and published a most valuable and interesting 
history of the Conant family. 

" Every member of the Conant clan is under 
lasting obligation to him. 

" I have the honor of introducing Frederick Odell 
Conant of Portland, Me., who will now address 
you." 




^ 






N 



FREDERICK ODELL CONANT. 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 45 

Mr. Frederick O. Conant, the family historian, 
responded with the foHowing address: — 

THE HISTORIC ADDRESS. 
Ladies and Gentlemen, — When Mr. Conant asked me 
if I would not prepare an historical sketch of the Conant 
family for this occasion, I hardly knew what to say. My 
inclinations prompted me to help him if possible, both from a 
certain feeling of family pride, and a desire to do everything 
in my power to aid one who has done so much for the family 
name and every community with which he has been connected ; 
but, like most of the family, it is almost impossible for me to 
face an audience, even though I know it has nothing but a 
feeling of kindness to one who bears the name of Conant. 

Whatever disinclination I had was not that I thought the 
subject barren, for I am proud of the family name, to which 
this noble gift of our friend adds new lustre. On the other 
hand, I feel that the subject needs an orator to do it justice. 
Not that our family has produced such an array of noted names 
as some other families, as, for instance, the Adamses, Sher- 
mans, or Quincys ; but rather on account of the many lessons 
which, under an able hand, might be drawn from the history 
of an old New England family like ours, composed of individ- 
uals of a general high character, and who have been pioneers 
in every State in New England since its founding, almost three 
hundred years ago. The family Is made up of good, substan- 
tial, honest people, and hard workers, not the brilliant and 
frothy kind who are always getting themselves talked about. 
A prominent characteristic of the family, if I understand its 
make-up, is a modest, retiring disposition. 

Its members are pioneers, formers, merchants, manufacturers, 
occasionally a minister of the Gospel or physician, but very 



46 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

few lawyers or public men, and each performs his chosen part 
well. No one of the family name has been elected to Con- 
gress, governor of a State, or even mayor of a city, so far as 
I know, — a fact that would be hard to duplicate in any other 
old New England family. The Joneses, Smiths, Browns, and 
Robinsons have all furnished their mayor, governor, or repre- 
sentative in Congress ; but we have not, and I claim it as a 
mark of distinction and proof of my previous remark, that 
a retiring disposition is a characteristic of our tribe, for none 
of us are willing to acknowledge any lack of ability to furnish 
governors, or even presidents. 

As proof that as a family we do not lack ability, I will 
bring as evidence an article in a recent number of the 
" Century Magazine," by Henry Cabot Lodge, on the " Dis- 
tribution of Ability in the United States." He says that 
" Appleton's Encyclopaedia of American Biography" contains 
the names of 14,243 Americans who have risen above the 
general level, which would be one in 7,000 of the 100,000,000 
souls who have been born in the United States since its first 
settlement. Not over 3,500 Conants have gone to help make 
this 100,000,000, and as five of the names are included in the 
14,243, the famil}' has produced ten times its proportion of the 
ability of the United States, which is certainly a remarkable 
showing. Many people know little and care less about their 
ancestry, or so profess ; with them I have no sympathy. I 
cannot but feel that any eflbrt to preserve the remembrance of 
the worthy lives of our ancestors is praiseworthy. 

Macaulay has well said, "A people which takes no pride 
in the achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve 
anything worthy of remembrance by remote descendants." 

No one liberally educated denies or underrates the value of 
genealogical investigation. A lifetime devoted to the prepa- 
ration of the history of a nation, or years to the history of some 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 47 

noble life, is not thought ill-spent, but many forget that the 
true history of any community is only that of the individuals 
composing it. A good fomily genealogy is only a series of 
condensed biographies, less interesting perhaps, but no less 
valuable, than more pretentious works. A carefully prepared 
and well written history of an old New England family aftbrds 
us a good view of the character and habits of our people for 
two hundred and fifty years. The earlier generations possessed 
much in moral quality in which the present generation is 
deficient. Their industrious, religious, and conscientious lives, 
if presented to their posterity, will exert an influence for good. 
We may well confess an honest family pride, not that our 
ancestors arose to any great prominence in national affairs, but 
because from the days of Roger Conant, the sturdy Puritan, to 
the present time, so far as we know, they have borne them- 
selves in a true and upright manner, having the fear of God 
in their eyes, and serving well their day and generation ; and 
if for no other reason, from the fact that they helped to lay the 
foundation of the most free, most prosperous, and most pro- 
gressive nation on earth. 

It is a singular coincidence that the two most noted mem- 
bers which the family has produced, — I refer to Dr. John 
Conant, vIce-Chancellor of Oxford University at the time of 
the restoration of Charles II., and the Rev. Dr. T. J. Conant, 
who has recently died In Brooklyn, N.Y.,— both excelled in the 
same field. Dr. John Conant is said to have been one of the 
best scholars of his day in the Oriental languages, and distin- 
guished in biblical study. Dr. Conant of Brooklyn for years 
before his death devoted his time to the study of the languages 
of the Bible, and was one of the American committee for 
the revision of the Old Testament, co-operating with the 
convocation of Canterbury, England. 

The characteristic modesty of the family is to be noticed in 
Dr. John Conant. In 1654 he succeeded Dr. Hoyle as Regius 



4S THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Professor of Divinity at Oxford, in which capacity he deHvered 
a series of lectures which eminent churchmen importuned him 
without success to pubHsh. Nor could he be induced to 
publish any of the sermons, orations, etc., which he delivered 
before the university. Long after his death, however, six 
volumes of his sermons were published. Liberality and charity 
were also prominent in Dr. Conant, and displayed at an early 
age. On the death of his father, which occurred in 163S, 
when he was thirty years of age, and with no other support 
than his fellowship in Exeter College, being left the larger 
part of the estate, he at once turned it over to his younger 
brother, who had married young, and had a large family to 
support. From his life it appears that during the three years 
he held the living at Abergeley, in Denbeigh shire, he retained 
but £149 out of £360 which he received, devoting the rest to 
charity ; and that during his residence at Northampton, a 
period of about twenty years, he constantly bore the expense 
of the schooling of from tv^^enty to forty poor children. In 
this connection I may also mention the gifts of John Conant of 
Jaflrey, N.H., who during his life gave upward of $25,000 to 
the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and Mechanics' 
Arts, and at his death left $40,000 more to the college, and a 
larger amount to other good objects, including $12,000 to 
New London Academy; and the name of Edwin Conant of 
Worcester, who recently died, making Harvard College his 
residuary legatee, by which the college will soon come in 
possession of $75,000 or $80,000, which is to be devoted to 
a new building. 

Our family name is a very ancient one ; to trace its origin 
we must go back to the days of mythology and hero-worship. 
In form it is a true patronymic, not adapted from the occu- 
pation of its wearer, as were such names as Butler, Clark, 
Farmer, Miller, and vSmith in comparatively recent times. 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 49 

The name is a Celtic name in its remote origin. In its present 
form it has existed in Devonshire, England, for about seven 
hundred years. The early form of the name was Cynan or 
Conan, which is to be found among the Welsh, Gaels, and 
Britons at about the beginning of the Christian era. Seven 
saints of the name are inentioned in the mythology of Donegal. 
In Irish mythology Con is represented as the god of Valor, son 
of Diancect, the god of the powers of healing ; also as a 
descendant of Milesius, and the one hundred and tenth king of 
Ireland. The name of the present division of Ireland, Con- 
naught, signifies the land possessed by the descendants of Con. 
In the year 38S a British prince, Conan Meriadec, led an army 
into France against the Roman emperor Theodosius, and, 
being defeated at the battle of Aquiliea, fled across France to 
Armorica, where he settled with his followers, and from these 
British invaders the country took the name Little Brittany. 
This Conan founded the ducal family which ruled Brittany till 
the fifteenth century. 

No claim is made that we are descended from this family ; 
but from the fact that they held land in Devonshire at about 
the beginning of the twelfth century, and that our name can 
be traced back in Devonshire to within a short time of that 
period, it seems possible that we may be derived from some 
branch of that ancient family ; at any rate, there is the interest 
arising from the similarity of names. 

The authentic genealogy of our family begins with John 
Conant, who, it is stated, was "descended from ingenuous 
parents of Gittisham near Honiton, whose ancestors for many 
generations had been fixed there." He was born about the 
time of the Reformation. During his youth the example of 
Luther's followers in Germany was spreading in England. 

In 1537 translations of the Bible were first placed in every 
church ; images were torn down as leading to superstition. 



50 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

and the shrines of the saints robbed of their treasures. In 
1539 occurred the dissolution of the monasteries by King 
Henry VIII. A curious old deed on parchment, dated 1531, is 
now in my possession, by which the abbot of the monastery of 
Dunkswell grants a tenement in Gittisham to John Conant, Jr., 
son of John and Isabella Conant, and his sons Nicholas and 
John. Probably the son John was father of our John Conant, 
who removed from Gittisham to East Budleigh, a few miles 
away, and about fourteen miles from Exeter, the capital of 
the county. Devonshire, the old home of our family, is one 
of the most picturesque parts of England, lying in the south- 
western part of the island, bordered on the south by the Eng- 
lish Channel. It is rich in natural scenery and in antiquarian 
remains. Extensive parts of the interior are covered by moors 
and lofty hills. The coast is formed by craggy rocks and bold 
headlands, between which many streams flow through rich 
valleys into the sea. 

The name of only one of the sons of John Conant has been 
preserved, Richard, who was father of Roger, who came to 
America. Both John and Richard served as church wardens of 
the parish of East Budleigh, which is rendered famous as being 
the birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh. Richard married Agnes 
Clarke, daughter of John Clarke, the principal merchant of 
Colyton, a neighboring parish. They had a family of six sons 
and two daughters. One of the sons, John, was sent to Oxford 
University, and became a fellow of Exeter College, bachelor 
of divinity, and minister of the Church of England. During 
the quarrel between Charles I. and his subjects, he took sides 
with the Puritans, and was appointed by Parliament one of 
the assembly of divines which met at Westminster in July, 
1643. This assembly drew up the Confession of Faith, longer 
and shorter Catechisms, and Directory of Worship, which are 
still in use by Presbyterians and Congregaliunalists in Eng- 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 51 

land, and acknowledged by the American churches. In 1643 
he preached a sermon before Parliament, which was printed, 
and is the first printed work by a Conant of which I am 
aware. 

Another son, Robert, was father of the Dr. John Conant 
already mentioned. From him descended Nathaniel Conant, 
a barrister-at-law, magistrate of the celebrated Bow-street 
police court in London. Nathaniel was knighted by King 
George III. in 1S13. His grandson, Edward N. Conant of 
Lyndon Hall, County Rutland, England, was high sherifl' of the 
county, and in 1SS5 chairman of the Court of Qiiarter Sessions. 
The younger sons of Richard and Agnes Conant, Christopher 
and Roger, went to London about 1609, or when the elder 
came of age. This date is fixed by the records of the Grocers' 
Company, one of the great merchant guilds of London, to one 
of the members of which, Thomas Allen by name, Christopher 
was apprenticed. After serving an apprenticeship of seven 
years he was admitted a freeman of London on March 14, 161 6. 
In 1620 Roger signed the bond of his brother John, for the first- 
fruits of the living of Lymington, and styles himself a " salter 
of the parish of St. Lawrence Jewry," which clearly indicates 
that he had become free of the company, for in those days of 
punctilious observance of form and ceremony he would not 
have assumed any title to which he had not a good right. 
The fact that he was accepted as surety for a bond indicates 
that he had prospered. We know nothing more of their life 
in London beyond the fact that both were married during their 
residence there, Roger married, in 161 S, Sarah Horton, and 
to them there were born two children, both of whom died 
young. Their other children were all born in this country. 
The time of their residence in London saw the beginning of 
the trouble between King James I. and his Parliament and 
subjects. A large number of the latter believed that too many 



53 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

of the old forms of worship had been preserved in the Church 
as established by Qiieen Elizabeth, and that these led to super- 
stition. This party were termed Puritans. They were espe- 
cially strong in the well-to-do middle class. It is evident from 
his subsequent position that Roger Conant ranked with the 
Puritans. His relations, so far as we know them, were with 
that party. His brother was prominent in their councils, and 
his four nephews, all ministers of the Church, were Puritans. 
With such sympathies, it is not strange that he early decided 
to seek a new hom.e in the wilds of America, where freedom 
of conscience was possible, and the principles of self-government 
were even then instilling themselves into men's minds. But 
what a contrast between the life of mankind at the time of the 
Pilgrims, as they were called, who arrived on the first three 
vessels, and now ! Then the world was ignorant of steam, 
electricity, all the principles of chemistry, the barometer, ther- 
mometer, the pendulum, and so many things we now deem 
essential to every-day life. The principles of medical science 
were little known, and charms and incantations were common 
in the treatment of disease. 

In 1633 the ship "Ann" arrived at Plymouth, it being the 
third vessel, bringing ninety-six passengers, of whom Christopher 
Conant is named as one. Among the other passengers were 
Master John Oldham, his wife, and eight others not mentioned 
by nam.e, who came at their own expense, — " particulars" they 
are called to distinguish them from the colonists who came at 
the general charge of the company in England. Roger Conant 
was undoubtedly one of the unnamed eight, as in a petition he 
fixes the date of his arrival as in 1633. 

All track of Christopher is soon lost. In 1631 he sei-vcd on 
the jury in the first trial for murder in the infant colony, which 
is the last record of him to be found. He may have returned 
to England, or fill an unmarked grave on the ancient Burying 
Hill at Plymouth. 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 53 

Roger Conant, after a short stay at Plymouth and Nantasket, 
removed to Cape Ann to take charge of a colony planted by 
the Dorchester Company, under the leadership of Rev. John 
White, who knew of him through his brother, Rev. John 
Conant of Lymington, England. Hubbard, the early historian 
of New England, who knew Roger well, calls him " a pious, 
sober, and prudent gentleman," and from all that is known 
of him this statement cannot be doubted. The Dorchester 
adventurers lost about three thousand pounds by their attempt 
at Cape Ann ; and on the discovery by Roger Conant of a more 
suitable location at Salem, the colony removed there in 1626, 
Roger Conant building the first house in Salem, and remain- 
ing in charge of the affairs of the company until the arrival of 
Governor Endlcott in September, 162S. The removal from 
Cape Ann to Salem marks the real beginning of the Massachu- 
setts Colony. The old Dorchester adventurers had become 
discouraged with their losses, and most of them had withdrawn 
from the company. A large part of the colonists decided on 
a removal to Virginia ; but Roger Conant could not be induced 
to abandon the venture, and it was arranged that Rev. John 
White, chief among the old adventurers, should procure a 
charter for the new company, with the understanding that the 
management should remain in the hands of Roger Conant. 
The new charter was procured ; but the new members of the 
company selected John Endicott as agent, and soon after he 
was duly commissioned governor. The question whether 
Conant or Endicott is entitled to be called first governor of 
Massachusetts has created considerable discussion among anti- 
quarians, but in my mind the question whether he was com- 
missioned governor or not need not trouble us. The fact is 
that he was the head of the colony which was the beginning 
of Massachusetts Colony for about three years before Endicott 
arrived, and if he did hold the place by royal commission, it 



54 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

must have been by common consent of his companions, which 
we, as good citizens of this republic, should regard as a higher 
title than any to be conferred by royal power or chartered 
authority. About 1637 he removed from Salem proper to that 
part of the town now Beverly, settling on his part of a grant 
of one thousand acres. Here he remained till his death, which 
occurred in 1679. During his residence in Salem and Beverly 
he was almost constantly occupied in town alTairs, as select- 
man, representative to the General Court of Massachusetts in 
1634, one of the justices of the Court of Qiiarter Sessions, dele- 
gate to ordinations, etc., and enjoyed the companionship and 
friendship of many whose names are still held in honor among 
us, both on account of their own deeds and the prominence of 
their descendants. Among these the names of Dodge, Haw- 
thorne, Endicott, Palfrey, Parkman, Winthrop, and Woodbury 
are best known. From Roger Conant probably nine-tenths of 
those bearing the name in this country are descended. One 
other immigrant, George Conant, ^vho came to Plymouth about 
1730, is known to have left descendants, and there were possibly 
others, but of this I am not sure. 

From Beverly the family spread, at first to the neighboring 
towns of Essex County, then, as the Indians were driven back 
before the advancing waves of civilization, to the interior towns 
of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New 
York. About the middle of the last century, Josiah Conant, 
great-grandfather of Mr. Hezekiah Conant, removed from 
Beverly to Dudley ; his brother Nathaniel, my great-grand- 
father, at the same time removing to Alfred, Me. 

After the Revolution, one branch of the family, which is 
represented by the poet of the day, settled in Canada. Mem- 
bers of the family were among the early settlers of the great 
Western States of Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan. Some went 
with the Forty-niners to the gold-fields of California, and one 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 55 

went to the silver mines of Mexico, where his descendants still 



remain. 



The name has been honorably connected with some of the 
grand events of American history. The name of Roger Conant 
is inseparably linked with the history of the early settlement of 
Massachusetts. It was with Col. William Conant of Charles- 
town that Paul Revere planned showing the signal lanterns 
from the steeple of the North Church to give warning of the 
march of the British on Concord. Abner Hosmer, son of 
Martha Conant and Deacon Jonathan Hosmer of Acton, was 
killed on Concord Green the next day, April 19, 1775, one of 
the first victims on the altar of American freedom. 

The proportion of men which the family furnished to the 
Revolutionary Army is no less remarkable than the record as 
to ability shown. The population of the colonies at the time 
of the Revolution was about three millions. The only estimate 
of the total enrolment of the Continental Army which I can 
find, and this includes duplication of names, sets the number 
at 320,000, or about one in ten of the total population. Accord- 
ing to a careful count, I find there were living, in 1780, one 
hundred and fifty-two male Conants between the ages of fifteen 
and eighty years, and there were not over four hundred men, 
women, and children together. If the family had furnished its 
proper proportion of one in ten, thirty-six or thirty-eight men 
would have entered the Continental Army, instead of which I 
find there were no less than seventy-seven, or one in five of its 
total number. 

I have not been able to obtain as complete records of soldiers 
in the Rebellion as of Revolutionary soldiers, but have found 
the names of ninety-four Conants who served in the Union 
Army, which is probably as good a proportion as any family 
furnished, for it must be remembered that the Union Army 
contained a large foreign element. Forty of the name have 
graduated from American colleges. 



56 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Our annals may not have been illumined by many person- 
alities of meteoric bi'illiancy, but I think we may be awarded 
with truthfulness the general high standard which I claimed at 
first. If we would outdo our ancestors we have but to fix 
our minds on a high aim, and live up to the family motto, 
Conanti riihil est difficile. 

The anthem, " How Beautiful are the Moun- 
tains," was then sung by the choir, and the letter 
of presentation of the church edifice of the First 
Congregational Church and Society of Dudley by 
the donor, Hezekiah Conant, was then read by 
his son, Samuel M. Conant, and was received 
with evidence of the warmest appreciation. 

THE DONOR'S LETTER. 

To THE First Congregational Church and Society of 
Dudley, Mass. 

My Dear Friends., — On the 5th of June, 1S90, I wrote a 
letter proposing to build a church for you in place of the 
structure which unhappily had been destroyed by fire on the 
3d of that month. I encumbered that proposition with certain 
conditions, named at the time ; and I also added that the edifice 
should have a bell and clock in its tower, that it should have 
pulpit and pews, heating and ventilating apparatus, and nice 
rooms in the basement. To-day that promise is fulfilled ; the 
structure is complete in a satisfactory and workman-like manner, 
from turret to foundation stone. If the workmen have in any 
way slighted the work, it is a deception that is practised upon 
me ; at any rate, to-day the structure looks all right, and, as 
such, I take pleasure in handing the possession over to you, for 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 57 

whom it is intended ; that you may hold it forever, as a trust, 
for the use of the people of this vicinity as a comfortable 
meeting-house, a pleasant place for the Sabbath worship, and 
any other assemblages for which it may properly be used. In 
the nature of things, I cannot see that you can hold it in any 
other manner than in trust for yourselves and the community. 
To that end I recommend that you elect a board of trustees, 
who will represent you as holders of the property, they to see 
it is properly cared for, and not subjected to an unreasonable 
wear or improper neglect. 

In addition to all that I promised you, I have added an 

organ from one of the best makers in the country, and I think 

you will find it a pleasant-toned instrument, and a help to your 

devotions. I have also furnished the seats with cushions and 

carpets all alike, so that the poor and the rich shall have equal 

comfort as they listen to the word of God as expounded from 

the pulpit. Perhaps the farmer, tired in the summer season 

with the gathering of his hay and crops, can sit and rest with 

more comfort, and be better prepared in mind by the relief to 

the weary body. The building which this replaces had a 

predecessor which used to be called the "old church," and 

I used to be told that no means for artificial heat were ever 

put into it. In the coldest days of winter the rugged Puritans 

used to sit through the morning, afternoon, and probably 

evening ser\aces with no artificial heat, though I might qualify 

a little by saying that some of the ladies of the well-to-do 

farmers had little foot-stoves, and sometimes a hot stone or 

jug of hot water brought from home served to cheer the 

more delicate ones, but even these were not in abundant 

supply. To-day in this building I believe that all can be 

made comfortable in the coldest days of winter, and even 

delicate ladies can enjoy the day's service without a hot brick 

or patent foot-stove. 



58 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

There is another attachment to the structure that was 
not promised in my letter of June 5th referred to, and 
that is the carriage-porch at the southeast entrance. There 
are but few churches in the land so furnished, and it is 
almost a novel feature ; yet in a stormy day or in a down- 
pouring rain its convenience will be apparent, and its use- 
fulness admitted. 

The memorial window, representing Roger Conant sepa- 
rating the combatants, is appropriate and not objectionable, it 
seems to me, and I prefer it to any picture of celestial beings. 
It represents an event in history, and it also shows a character- 
istic of that eminent person. I do not know that he was 
strictly a Puritan, yet he was a religious man, and a person 
who commanded the confidence and respect of the community 
in which he lived, and his character has no stain. And 
though he never was canonized by any ecclesiastical authority, 
yet when he prevented this quarrel he certainly was entitled to 
the reward promised by Christ himself, who said, " Blessed 
are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of 
God." 

The tablet in the vestibule, I trust, will be acceptable, 
because I try thereby to express my intentions regarding the 
pui-pose of the structure. Perhaps it may meet the eye of 
some person who believes that there is a natural antagonism 
between religion and science, and I feel that a word or two 
here by me may not be inappropriate. Whether my duty 
before me is towards God or my fellow-men, whether the 
means to accomplish a grand result are placed in my hands by 
my Creator or my fellow-creatures, I cannot do otherwise than 
to act as a steward. If it is for a business which requires 
capital, then it is my duty to invest that capital, using my best 
judgment to do it in the interest of Him who has thus 
endowed me. So, in the construction of a building like this, 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 59 

I do it, not to promote any particular sect or creed, but to 
accomplish some benefit to the world which God created. To 
that end I devote the means which He has placed in my 
hands. In no other way do I think I can so much promote 
His glory. It is an axiom that ignorance is the mother of 
crime : so Christianity will become more and more refined 
and acceptable, the more intelligent and educated the com- 
munity becomes. There is no gainsaying the fact that 
Christianity and science must go hand in hand. "Mercy 
and Truth must meet together; Righteousness and Peace 
will kiss each other." I certainly expect the students of 
Nichols Academy will be benefited by their attendance 
here upon divine sen'ice, and will here hold their annual 
exercises at the close of the academical year, as was their 
custom in the old structure, the victim of last year's 
conflagration. 

I am not a theologian, but I have lived long enough in the 
world to see, or at least believe, that every man has a mission 
to fulfil. He is endowed by his Creator with certain faculties 
of brain and muscle. He has a faculty to think, to observe, 
and reason. The preacher should carefully consider this, and, 
when he is called upon to give religious instruction, do his 
best to make the truths appear reasonable to his hearers. I 
believe the farmer is called to his farm, the manufacturer to 
his factory, the mechanician, the carpenter, and builder to 
their constructions, the doctor, lawyer, preacher, and teacher 
each to his profession, and they will each win a reward in 
proportion as they have been of service to the world. The 
man wdio tills the land and delves in the soil is doing what he 
can to supply the world with food ; drink has to be provided 
by the construction of water-supply, which requires toil and 
skill ; the naked must be clothed by the manufacturer ; coal and 
iron must be mined, every necessity be obtained, and the 



6o THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

wheels of the raih'oads and the steamboats must be turned in 
its distribution. In short, there is, to my mind, also a great 
Scriptural warrant for the prosecution of the business of the 
world, of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and all 
their adjuncts and appliances ; and I believe that he who 
honestl}^ pursues the line of business that God has called him 
to, however insignificant and lowly, and is useful in the world, 
and faithfully does his duty, will at last hear the grand enco- 
mium, " Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom 
prepared for you from the foundation of the world : for I 
was hungry, and ye gave me meat : I was thirsty, and ye gave 
me drink : I was a stranger, and ye took me in : naked, and ye 
clothed me : sick, and ye visited me : in prison, and ye came 
unto me." They have toiled and suffered to feed, clothe, and 
shelter God's creatures, and relieve suffering humanity, and 
have at last come up before the great Judge of all the earth. 
Their hands are clean and their hearts are pure ; their faith is 
good, but, unable to show it otherwise than by their works, it 
will be, as with Abraham of old, counted unto them for 
righteousness. 

This building might have been so constructed as to add con- 
siderably to its cost, and it might have been built for less 
money. But as it stands to-day it is the outcome of the com- 
bined judgment of the donor and his architect. They think it 
will make a very satisfactory memorial, and a church good 
enough for a small village and parish like this of Dudley 
Centre. It is not so inflammable as the old building, and I 
trust it will stand for centuries to come, and that it will also be 
the means of grace to many an anxious and weary soul, and 
that your children and their children's children will enjoy its 
shelter, and here listen to the truth of Christianity when 
refined by the influence of another hundred years of American 
civilization. 




y -^w* ■ * 



t^ 



SYLVIA FERGUSON CONANT. 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 6i 

Here the congregation was requested to rise 
while the following was said: — 

I now have the pleasure of placing in your hands the keys 
of the edifice, and committing the care of it to your hands. I 
trust that you will bear in mind that unto whom much is 
given, of them shall be much required. The possession of 
this structure adds to your facilities for doing good, enables 
you to be of more use to your fellow-creatures, and adds 
to your responsibilities. It will require some thought and 
good judgment to properly perform your duty, yet I think 
you are, and will continue to be, for yourselves and successors 
in time to come, endowed by your Creator with sufficient 
wisdom for this trust. I feel that in this I have used discre- 
tion and my best judgment, and I can only add the hope that 
God's blessing will be on this memorial, on this church, this 
town, and all that dwell within its borders. 

An appropriate response, accepting the edifice 
in behalf of the Church and Society, was made 
by Rev. T. C. Richards. The prayer of conse- 
cration was made by Rev. Alexander McGregor 
of Pawtucket, R.I., and the anthem, " Hark! hark! 
my Soul," was sung by the choir. At this point 
a part not in the printed programme took place. 
An infant grand-daughter of the donor of the 
church, a daughter of Samuel M. Conant, was 
baptized under the name of Sylvia Ferguson 
Conant, by the pastor. Rev. Mr. Richards, and 
the fontal bowl was presented to the new 



62 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

church in her name. The forenoon's exercises 
were closed with Doxology and benediction by 
Rev. T. C. Richards. 

At one P.M., all those present were invited to 
a dinner set in Academy Hall, at which two 
sittings were required to accommodate the 
large numbers. About thirty-five members of 
the Conant family, by special invitation, dined 
with Hezekiah Conant at his spacious and 
palatial mansion, where a very interesting social 
time was enjoyed. 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 63 



THE AFTERNOON EXERCISES. 



The afternoon services in the church, begin- 
ning at half-past two, were opened with an 
" Andante Movement from the Fifth Symphony " 
(Beethoven), on the organ, followed by the 
anthem, " O Thou to Whom in Ancient Time " 
(Morrison), sung by the same quartette as of 
the morning; invocation and Lord's Prayer, by 
Rev. E. S. Tingley, former pastor; responsive 
reading of Scripture, by Rev. T. T. Filmer of 
Webster; addresses by Rev. C. H. Pettibone 
of Southbridge, Rev. C. L. Goodell of Boston, 
and Rev. Prof. A. L. Perry of Hartford, Conn.; 
anthem, "In Heavenly Love abiding," by the 
choir; dedication prayer by Rev. H. A. Blake 
of Webster; thank offering, tenor solo, "Fear 
not Ye, O Israel" (Buck), hymn and benediction 
brought the day's great work to a close. 

Extended notices were given these exer- 
cises by the following newspapers, all of date 
December 18, 1891: Webster " Times," Worcester 
"Spy," Worcester "Telegram," Boston "Daily 
Globe," Pawtucket "Evening Times," "The 
Evening Reporter" (Woonsocket, R.I.), "Evening 
Telegram" (Providence). 



64 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Lists of members of the Conant family invited 
to attend the dedication of the " Conant Memorial 
Church," with addresses. 

Conant, Alban Jasper, New York, 51 West loth St. 

Conant, Albert, Boston, 73 Union St. 

Conant, Albert Francis, Brookline, Mass., Kent St. 

Conant, Alonzo G., Pepperell, Mass. 

Conant, Charles Albion, Rev., Voorheesville, Albany 
County, N.Y. 

Conant, Charles F., Westfield, Union County, N.J., 
P.O. Box 3S3. 

Conant, Chester Cook, Hon., Greenfield, Mass. 

Conant, Edward Davis, Newton Centre, Mass. 

Conant, Edward W., Oldtown, Maine. 

Conant, Ernest Lee, New York, 33 Nassau St. 

Conant, Eugene F., Denver, Col. 

Conant, Eugene H., Camden, N.Y. 

Conant, Frank H., New York, care Navy Yard. 

Conant, Fred. Odell, Portland, Me., 139 Park St. 

Conant, George F., Camden, N.Y. 

Conant, George H., New York, 43 West Broadway. 

Conant, Hamilton S., Providence, R.I. 

Conant, Harlan Page, Boston, 73 Union St., resi- 
dence Mount Vernon, N.H. 

Conant, Harrison, J., Worcester, Mass., 556 Main St. 

Conant, Harry Armitage, Hon., Monroe, Mich. 

Conant, Henry Washington, Rev., Somerville, Mass., 

247 Highland Ave. 
Conant, James Scott, Boston, 3 Franklin St. 
Conant, John A., Willimantic, Conn. 
Conant, John Shubael, Princeton, N.J. 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 65 

CoNANT, Lewis S., Boston, care The N. Ward Company. 
CoNANT, Lucy C, Mrs., Cambridge, Mass. 
CoNANT, LuMAN E., Waltham, Mass. 
CoNANT, Marshall, La Cross, Wis. 
CoNANT, Nathaniel, Brookline, Mass. 
CoNANT, Robert Warren, M.D., Chicago, 4743 Ken- 
wood Ave. 
CoNANT, Silas, Acton, Mass. 

CoNANT, Thomas, Esq., Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. 
CoNANT, Thomas Oakes, New York, care U.S. Assay 
Office. 

CoNANT, William Cowper, New York, P.O. Box 3059. 
CoNANT, William Henry, Portland, Me., care Portland 
& Rochester Railway. 

Conant, William Henry, Dea., Boston, 16 Washington 
St., residence Mount Vernon, N.H. 

Bunton, Henry S., Hyde Park, Mass. 

Church, William Conant, New York, 240 Broadway. 

Coleman, Caryl, New York, care The Tiffany G. & D. Co. 

Foster, George Craigie, New York, 7 West 29th St. 

Galloupe, Charles W., Boston, 35 Devonshire St. 

GiDDiNGS, Edward Leech, Boston, 105 Devonshire St. 

Hitchcock, D. W., Mrs., Boston. 

Lewis, Alvah Conant, Brooklyn, N.Y. 

Morse, L. Foster, Roxbury, Mass., 225 Humboldt Ave. 

Rodenbough, T. F., Gen., New York, i East 55th St. 

Storrs, Richard Salter, Rev., D.D., Brooklyn, N.Y. 

Tracy, John Martin, Greenwich, Conn. 



@op)? of a ^i^cour^c 

DELIVERED ON FAST-DAY, APRIL 9, 1S35, CONTAINING AN HISTORICAL 
SKETCH OF THE TOWN OF DUDLEY, MASS., 

BY REV. JAMES H. FRANCIS. 



DISCOURSE, 



Ps. Lxxviii. 5, 6, 7. — " For he established a testimony in Jacob, and 
appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers that 
they should make them known to their children; that the gener- 
ation to come might know them, even the children which should be 
born ; who should arise and declare them to their children ; that 
they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, 
but keep his commandments." 

It is both interesting and useful to learn the history of any 
people; especially to trace out their origin, and ascertain 
those early events and transactions which peculiarly influence 
their future character and destiny. The early history of Greece 
and Rome, and of our own remote ancestors on the sea-begirt 
isle, though involved in obscurity and mingled with fable, we 
peruse with deep interest. The origin and progress to 
national existence of that people to whom the Scripture quoted 
pertains, are traced with distinctness and authentically recorded. 
Their history was written under the guidance of divine inspi- 
ration. And herein do we find, not only an unqualified recog- 
nition of a divine, providential agency in the common current 
of events, but a record of extraordinary and mighty deeds 
performed by the Lord their God, for their deliverance and 
protection, for their prosperity and welfare when obedient, for 
their chastisement when undutiful. The Psalmist, in accord- 
ance with the design of Jehovah, would perpetuate tlie 
remembrance of these mighty acts, that those who should 
successively arise might set their hope in God and keep His 



70 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

commandments. Therefore did he often make them the 
theme of those inspired songs which from age to age were 
to be celebrated in the sanctuary. 

The early history of our nation, of this American Israel, 
though presenting no instances of miraculous interposition, is 
yet most worthy of attention and remembrance, as evincing 
conspicuously the superintending agency of divine Providence, 
no less than noble and worthy traits of human character. 
And, as in histoiy usually, a general view enlists our feelings 
less than individual incidents ; so there is increased, rather than 
diminished, interest in descending from the relation which 
respects a country to that pertaining to a particular com- 
munity, especially if it be the one of our nativity or permanent 
abode. It is my intention at this time to present, according to 
the best available sources of information, a concise relation of 
the most important events and transactions pertaining to the 
settlement and subsequent history of this town. 

The earliest notice of this region of country which I have 
been able to find, is one connected with an account of opera- 
tions in behalf of the religious welfare of the Indians. To 
diffuse over these original tenants of our soil the salutary 
influence of the Gospel, was a prominent object in view of 
the benevolent . . . who first emigrated to this western world. 
Says one historian, " The conversion of the Indians was none 
of the least motives that persuaded many of the inhabitants of 
New England to transport themselves thither." In labors for 
this object the names of Eliot and Mayhew are distinguished. 
By their efforts, in connection with others, was the Bible trans- 
lated into the Indian language, many of the natives religiously 
instructed, churches formed among them, and at many loca- 
tions throughout the colony were meetings established where 
they assembled to worship God and sanctify the Sabbath. At 
length a magistrate was appohited to superintend the concerns 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 71 

of the praying Indians., as they were called. The first person 
selected for this office was Daniel Gookin, in 1656. There 
were several which were then called old towns of praying- 
Indians, as Natick, Hassemamessit (now Grafton), Magunkee- 
quag (now Hopkinton), and others. There were several, 
also, which were denominated 7iew towns of praying Indians. 
These were all more distant than the others from Boston. 
Among the latter were included, under difterent names, 
Oxford, Woodstock, and Dudley. These began to hearken to 
the Gospel about 1670. Oxford (called Munchuge) contained 
twelve families. " About five miles distant from this place," 
says Gookin, in his account given 1674, " is Chabanakong- 
kamun " ; or, as it has been since differently spelled and 
pronounced, Shawgunagunkawa. Such was the euphonic 
Indian name for this town. The description continues : "It 
hath its denomination from a very great pond, five or six miles 
long, that borders upon the south end of it. This village is 
fifty-five miles west by south from Boston ; there are in it nine 
families. The people are of a sober deportment, and better 
instructed in the worship of God than any of the new praying 
towns. Their teacher's name is Joseph, who is one of the 
church of Hassemamessit (Grafton), a sober, pious, and 
ingenious person, and speaks English well, and is well read in 
the Scriptures." The native here spoken of as a Christian 
and teacher of the Indians dwelling in this settlement, was the 
first who resided among them as a religious instructor. He 
came about two years previous to the above account: i.e., in 
1672. Gookin further represents his as then a " new planta- 
tion, well accommodated with upland and meadows." The 
Indians residing here were of the Nipmuck tribe, whose ruler 
was Wattasacompanum, and are represented to have been, 
after King Philip's War, tributary to a sachem whose resi- 
dence was sometimes at the place where Bristol, R.I., now is. 



73 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

and at others where is at present the town of Middleborough. 
"At this settlement," adds the writer above named, in his 
remarks concerning these ancient proprietors of your soil, 
" dwells an Indian called Black James, who, about a year 
since (1673), was constituted a constable of all the new pray- 
ing towns. He is a person that hath approved himself diligent 
and courageous, faithful and zealous to suppress sin." 

In a letter of the celebrated Indian missionary, Eliot, con- 
tained in the Historical Collections under date of 1684, Cha- 
banakongkamun is mentioned as one of the stated places 
where the Indians met "to worship God and sanctify the 
Sabbath," after King Philip's War. This war, the most 
rancorous and destructive that ever occurred betw^een the 
whites and the aborigines, commenced in 1675, and ended in 
1676 with the death of that shrewd and distinguished chief. 
From the above remark of Eliot it would seem that this con- 
test, though for the time most bloody, and involving a large 
portion of the Indians, did not obliterate the impressions of 
truth previously made on those rude sons of the forest who 
occupied this spot. Yet I may add, it appears in the event to 
have been the same with them as with others of their race 
who have enjoyed the instructions of the Gospel, — no very 
permanent influence was thereby exerted on them, especially as 
a community or tribe, however it may have been with indi- 
viduals. Their habits and manner of life were not essentially 
changed. In records subsequently pertaining to the Church 
here, I find no instance of an Indian admitted to a full com- 
munion, and the names of only three who were admitted, as it 
was then termed, to own the covenant. The tribe now, as 
you well know, has dwindled to the merest remnant. 

This brief account of the ancient tenants of your soil I will 
close with an anecdote related in Hutchinson's history, which 
shows that the race who have succeeded them do not surpass 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 73 

them at least in longevity. " In 1734, August 25, a Nipmuck 
Indian, John Quittumug, went to Boston and was entertained 
there by gentlemen who accounted him a great prodigy. Forty 
years before he had been remarked as an old Indian, and must 
have been above one hundred and twelve years of age ; for he 
constantly affirmed that in the year 1630, upon a message from 
the English that they were in want of corn, soon after their 
an'ival, he went with his father to Boston, and carried from 
his country one and one-half bushels of corn all the way on 
his back ; that then there was but one cellar begun in Boston, 
and this somewhere near the Common. At the time of the 
last journey, nearly one hundred 3'ears after the other, he was 
in good health, his understanding and memory entire, and he 
travelled ten miles a day." He lived, it is said, near the town 
of Woodstock, probably in this town. " In 1686, many 
inhabitants of Roxbury," Hutchinson remarks, "pitched upon 
a tract of land to settle u|)on, which was bounded upon the south 
by Woodward and Saffi-ey's line, and it was granted to them by 
the Massachusetts government, and took the name of Wood- 
stock." Grants were also made to particular persons near this 
line. How early grants were made or any white persons came 
to reside within the original limits of Dudley, I have not 
means to determine. It is, however, quite certain that none 
settled here during a considerable period subsequent to the 
above date relative to Woodstock, 1686. One statement I 
have seen, probably derived from tradition, dates the first 
settlement in 1720. It is probable that individuals came here 
as early as tliat. No families, however, it would seem, could 
have been located here until some time afterward. Deeds of 
land are found dated as early as 1725. Tradition says that 
Abigail Corbin, the daughter of James Corbin, was the first 
white person born in this town, and that Joseph Healey, the 
father of the present Major Lemuel Healey, was the first white 



74 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

male birth. According to their family record, he was born 
June 1 6, 1729, and it is said but a few days after the other. 
The families of Edmunds and Newell, that were from Roxbury 
in this State, probably came some little time previous to 
Mr. Healey. The latter was from Newton. 

In 1732, June ist, this settlement was incorporated as a 
town. In the preamble to the act of incorporation, the reasons 
are thus stated: "Whereas, there are many inhabitants 
already settled on a tract of land lying between the towns of 
Woodstock and Oxford, who, together with others on the 
southwest part of Oxford, are very remote from a?ty place 
of the public worship of God, are very conveniently situated 
for a township, and have petitioned," etc. The name of 
Dudley was given to it, manifestly out of regard to two men 
who owned tracts of land there, Paul and William Dudley, 
members of a distinguished family in the early period of the 
Commonwealth. The order for the first town meeting, issued 
by the House of Representatives, runs thus: "That Joseph 
Edmunds, one of the principal inhabitants of the town of 
Dudley, in the county of Worcester, be directed and empow- 
ered to notify," etc. This first meeting for the appointment of 
officers was held on the twentieth of the same month in which 
the act of incorporation was passed, and Joseph Edmunds was 
chosen moderator, — also first selectman; James Corbin, Sr., 
second selectman ; Ebenezer Edmunds, the third ; George 
Robinson, the fourth; John Lillie, the fifth, and also town 
clerk. The meeting was held at the dwelling-house of 
William Carter. In two days after this a meeting was notified 
for the express purpose of devising measures to obtain a 
minister of the Gospel. Thus early did the object of provid- 
ing for themselves and their children the institutions of religion 
engage the fathers of this town. At that meeting, held on the 
29th of the same June, the selectmen were authorized to 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 75 

employ a religious teacher for one year. " Voted also, that 
William Carter's house be the place of meeting for publick 
worship." There were other votes indicative somewhat of the 
customs of those times; one that "Jonathan Newell be the 
man to set the psalm at public worship"; another, "that 
Joseph Pepper be the man to read the psalm" (/.^., to read 
it line by line as they sang). At the next town meeting in 
September following, it was determined "to send to their 
Honors, Judge Dudley, Colonel Dudley, and Colonel Fitch to 
see if they would do anything to aid in settling a minister, and 
building a meeting-house." This application resulted in the 
gift from the Dudleys of one hundred acres of land lying east- 
ward of William Carter's, and one hundred pounds in money. 
At another meeting in November, this gift was by a vote 
accepted, and at the same time Mr. Isaac Richardson was 
chosen to settle with them in the ministry. The day and the 
council and the place (which was Mr. Joshua Healey's house) 
for his ordination were agreed on, but some difficulties arose, 
and after several fruitless attempts to remove them, he left. 
Sundry meetings having been held in relation to building a 
house of worship, it was finally, January 30, 1736, determined 
" to place it on Joshua Pegin's old field, provided the land 
could be procured for that purpose, and also enough for a 
training-field and burying-ground." On the following March, 
the town voted to accept four acres, for these purposes, of the 
original proprietors, " on the top of Joshua Pegin's hill," and 
also to perform the conditions, viz. : " to allow the Indians 
a convenient seat or seats in our meeting-house when it was 
up." The spot here denoted is that on which this house of 
worship now stands. It was then contemplated having the 
burying-ground connected with the plot for the meeting-house, 
as was usual in those early days of New England, but this was 
found to be undesirable, because the earth near the surface 



^6 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

was so entirely saturated with water. One grave, it is said, 
after the excavation, filled before the burial took place. This 
was the grave of James Scott, killed by the fall of a tree, the 
first white person interred in Dudley. James Corbin, Joseph 
Pepper, Clement Corbin, and William Carter purchased the 
land where the old burying-ground in the centre now is, and 
for this purpose. The oldest place in town is said to be that 
near the Quinebaug River. The meeting-house was voted to be 
fifty feet long and forty wide. It was raised on the 33d of 
October, 1734, a little more than two years after the town was 
incorporated. The next year the citizens of the town assem- 
bled, voted to concur with the Church in observing the loth of 
April as a day of fasting and prayer with reference to settling 
a minister. On this day, Mr. Pearly Howe of Killingly, 
Conn., was chosen to be their pastor, "by a great majority," 
it is recorded, " of both Church and town." He was ordained 
on the 1 2th of June, 1735. Those requested to attend as 
the ordaining council, were the Rev. Messrs. Williams of 
Pomfret, Conn., Campbell of Oxford, Troop of Woodstock, 
Peabody of Natick, Cabot of Thompson, and Walter of 
Roxbury. 

To schools there was not as early and prompt attention here 
as was usual with the fathers of New England. The first 
appropriation for schools fi-om the public treasury was in 
1739. The amount was twenty pounds. Forty pounds also 
were voted to build a schoolhouse, which was to be erected 
on the public plot already purchased. Little, however, was 
immediately done in accordance with these provisions. 
It appears that no school was sustained here until i743) 
when the town record notices a Mr. May as having kept 
one during the previous winter. In subsequent years, grants 
of money were not infrequently made for this important 
object. 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 77 

Difficulties now arose in respect to Mr. Howe, which, after 
serious efforts to heal them and retain him, resulted in his 
dismission in 1743. Not long after this, however, he was 
settled in Killingly, Conn. In May, 1744, the town by vote 
concurred with the Church in appointing, in the language of 
the record, a day of solemn fasting and prayer to God for 
counsel and direction in the great and important affair of 
calling and settling a minister. Subsequently, JMr. Charles 
Gleason of Brookline, Mass., was invited to settle. He was 
ordained here in October, 1744. 

The Church in Dudley was doubtless organized in 1732- 
But there are found no church records of date prior to that to 
which we have now brought the history of the town, — i744* 
The first records pertaining exclusively to the Church now in 
our possession, were commenced by Mr. Gleason. In these 
nothing is contained respecting the previous concerns of the 
Church. The first mention of the Church in the town records 
is under date of April 23, 1733. Thus, though it is certain 
one then existed here, when it was organized does not, as to 
the precise time, appear. The Rev. Mr. Johnson, in a brief 
statistical account in the town-book, dates it in 1732. He had 
means, probabl}', of determining this point, which we have 
not, and may be relied on as correct. It is not improbable 
that the Church was formed while the affair was pending in 
respect to Mr. Richardson, the first person selected, as already 
observed, for pastor. In the first doings of the town, in rela- 
tion to his settlement, there is no recognition of the doings of 
the Church, which, according to New England usage in such 
cases, was an irregularity. In the calling of a minister, the 
Church had uniformly acted first, and then the town or 
Society concurred or not, as they saw fit. The reason why 
the proceeding was not in this manner in the instance before 
us tnay have been that no Church had been regularly organ- 



78 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

ized. However that was, there is in the town records notice 
of a meeting of the Church at the time above mentioned, 
April 35, 1733, at which Mr. Richardson was chosen to be 
pastor, and the time appointed for his ordination ; and there 
being on the same day a meeting of the town, they voted con- 
currence with the Church, though the town had previously 
acted on the same points. Thus they adopted, and subse- 
quently followed, the custom, in this particular, of Congrega- 
tional Churches in New England. 

How many or who were the original members of the 
Church, or what number was added during the ministry of 
Mr. Howe, as no church records of that period are extant, I 
have no means of determining. The ministry of Mr. Gleason 
was a protracted one of nearly forty-six years, until his death 
in May, 1790, at the age of seventy-five. 

In December, 1790, Rev. Joshua Johnson, having been 
dismissed from North Woodstock, was installed in Dudley. 
He left the pastoral office here in 17965 in May. Afterward 
he was located as an instructor and preacher in Whitestown, 
N.Y. From the last date there was an interval of three years, 
during which there was no settled minister. 

In June, 1799, Mr. Abiel Williams of Raynham, Mass., 
was ordained in this place to the work of the ministry. He 
was dismissed in March, 1S31. 

In August following, on the twenty-fourth day, the present 
pastor was ordained. 

The first deacons of the Church in Dudley appear, from the 
mention of their names on the town record, to have been 
Joseph Edmunds and Benjamin Conant. In 1745, Jonathan 
Newell was chosen; 1763, Jacob Bradbury; 1770, Abijah 
Newell and Edward Davis, brother of the present General 
Davis of Oxford ; 1773, Jason Phipps ; 1795, Jonathan Bacon ; 
1S13, William Healey ; 1820, Simpson Earned; and in 1S33, 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 79 

the present officiating deacons (Abner Perry and Charles 
Carpenter) were appointed to their office. 

The number received into full communion with the Church 
during the ministry of Mr. Gleason was one hundred and 
forty-five ; during that of Mr. Johnson and till Mr. Williams, 
forty-eight; during that of Mr. Williams, about one hundred 
and ninety ; since that time, fifty-three. 

The baptisms during Mr. Gleason's time were eight hundred 
and fifty-seven ; by Mr. Johnson, seventy-nine ; by Mr. 
Williams, two hundi'ed and nineteen. 

The practice, formerly somewhat general in New England, 
was adopted by the Church in Dudley, of permitting persons 
who did not consider themselves truly pious, to take the cove- 
nant, as it was termed, that their children might be baptized. 
This scheme was sometimes denominated the half-way cove- 
7iant. It consisted in a public profession of belief in the 
doctrines of Christianity, and a promise to assume the obliga- 
tions and perform the duties implied, whenever they felt pre- 
pared to do it. In a formula adopted by this Church since 
Mr. Gleason's day, the article in respect to this practice runs 
thus : "And when peculiar circumstances require, we do 
profess it our duty to admit persons to covenant and their 
children to baptism, who, through a tenderness of conscience, 
and for want of sufficient light, may think themselves unable 
to come to the Lord's Supper, and who shall engage to come 
forward so soon as by divine grace they find their difficulties 
removed." Whatever plausibility and seeming advantages may 
have attended this usage, yet is it not only without any 
warrant from Scripture, but experience has fully proved it to 
be detrimental to the purity of the Church and to the pros- 
perity of vital godliness. It was continued here during Mr. 
Gleason's ministry. None appear to have been received in 
this manner after his day ; at least, none are thus recorded, 



So THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

though in the covenant subsequently adopted the practice was 
recognized as valid. The number of members of this descrip- 
tion, as found on Mr. Gleason's record, is one hundred and 
twenty. 

Another usage, both of this and other Congregational 
Churches formerly, was that of requiring persons, upon their 
admission, to confess (if having been guilty) certain more 
flagrant sins. This was done away with during the ministry 
of Mr. Johnson. At a Church meeting, February i, 1796: 
"Voted unanimously, that the ancient practice in this Church 
of requiring and making public confessions of offences, by 
persons not in Church membership, before the congregation, is 
suspended, and that no record hereafter be made of any person 
making their peace with this Church." 

In the time of Mr. Gleason, the Lord's Supper was admin- 
istered once in two months. Early in the ministry of Mr. 
Johnson, it was resolved "That there be but five communion 
days in each year." The former practice, however, which has 
obtained to the present time, was probably soon afterward 
revived. 

The confession of faith and covenant now in use were intro- 
duced by Mr. Johnson, that which had been previously used 
being lost. 

What, anterior to this, was the method adopted in ascer- 
taining the qualifications of those desirous of admission to the 
Church, does not appear. It may have been here, as it is 
known to have been in other cases, that the pastor alone 
attended to the examination, as far as any was instituted. 
But in 1796 it was determined that "every person desirous of 
joining in full communion with this Church, previous to their 
being admitted, shall attend at a Church meeting to be 
appointed, in order that the candidate may give satisfaction to 
the Church concerning his qualifications, when every member 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. Si 

shall have the liberty of asking the candidate such questions as 
they may judge proper." The method now practised, you 
know, is that of examination by a committee of several indi- 
viduals appointed by the Church from time to time, as a stand- 
ing committee for this express object. Perhaps a still further 
improvement would be to have such a meeting as was formerly 
held after this examination by the committee. In respect to 
admission to the Church, I tind in the records a resolution of 
some importance passed in 1820 : " That whenever any person 
or persons shall wish to become members of this Church, and 
cannot feel it their duty to give up their children in baptism, 
that if the persons can satisfy this Church as to their experi- 
ence of religion, and that their objections in bringing forward 
their children to baptism are real conscientious scruples, and 
shall satisfy this Church that they are so, then they may be 
admitted to the fellowship of this Church." 

It appears that there were in town, quite early after its 
settlement, persons differing from the Congregationalists in 
religious sentiments. Under date of 1744, the year of Mr. 
Gleason's ordination, a certificate was presented to the town 
clerk with the names of Joseph Wakefield, Benjamin Putney, 
Paul Robinson, Silas Robinson, and Jonathan Putney, as 
members of the Baptist Church, and with those of Francis 
Curtis, John Curtis, and William Wakefield, who attended the 
Baptist meeting, — signed Jonathan Marsh, clerk of the Baptist 
Church, James Coats, brother of the Church. The design of 
this certificate was to exempt these individuals from the assess- 
ment of the general tax for religious purposes. With them 
probably originated the Baptist Church and Society in Webster, 
which was then the eastern section of Dudley. The method 
of raising money for ecclesiastical uses at that day in New 
England was almost invariably by a tax levied on property. 
This was the method originally pursued here, though it was 



83 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

long since relinquished, doubtless on account of the difficulties 
arising from diversities in religious opinions and practice. In 
1756, there was a vote of the town to exempt the Baptists 
from paying the assessment for the support of the Gospel. A 
similar exemption was granted in 1792 to all who did not 
belong to the Congregational denomination. It appears that 
the annual expenses had not been fully met, that debt had 
accumulated somewhat at the close of Mr. Gleason's ministry 
in 1 790, and a portion of the inhabitants were unwilling to be 
considered as belonging to this, which was then regarded as 
the standitig order. Dissent from it had commenced here 
much earlier than in most other towns in the Commonwealth. 
The number that usually assembled for public worship was 
small ; and after Mr. Gleason's death disagreement arose 
between his heirs and the people in relation to his pecuniary 
claims. Difficulties similar to these existed during the six 
years of Mr. Johnson's continuance here, though for aught 
that appears, his was, in other respects, a happy and useful 
ministry. The appropriations for his support were made out 
in part by a tax and partly by subscription. After he left in 
1796, effort was made to unite those who were disposed to 
maintain public worship as Congregationalists, and, as such, 
formed themselves into a society, adopting cei-tain articles by 
which they should be i-egulated. This instrument received 
the signature of seventy of the citizens. To them, as a 
Society, the town relinquished all their right to the meeting- 
house, except for the purpose of public meetings for town 
business. In a short time the Society obtained an act of 
incorporation by which they were constituted The First Con- 
gregational Society in Dudley., making all the inhabitants 
who usually met with said Society for public worship, and 
who did not belong to any other religious society, subject to 
all the burdens and entitled to all the privileges of the same ; 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 83 

and John Chamberlain was directed to call the first meeting 
by issuing his warrant to some principal member of the 
Society. On the loth of July, 1797, pursuant to a warrant 
issued to David Nichols, the Society met and chose the neces- 
sary officers. 

The meeting-house, which had not been entirely finished, 
was now altered and repaired ; new pews were made, and in 
June, 1798, they were rented for three years at $382.50 per 
annum. They were rented in a similar manner at successive 
periods until 1820. Thus it appears that the method of con- 
ducting ecclesiastical affairs, established generally by the first 
settlers of New England, was in some respects here early 
changed. In some few towns in the State even now the 
Congregational Society is bounded chiefly by geographical 
lines, almost all within them belong to it, and their expendi- 
tures, as formerly, are defrayed by a tax assessed according to 
property. 

Others than the Baptists, differing from those who first 
settled here, have, for a considerable period, composed a part 
of this population. The first Universalist meeting held within 
your limits was in an unfinished dwelling-house near the 
Centre (A. Tufts now owns and occupies it), in the year 
1792 or 1793. This was about twenty years after Universal- 
ism was imported into the country from England in the 
person of John Murray, and less than twice the same period 
from the time when this scheme took somewhat the form of a 
system, and universal salvation as a leading doctrine of the 
Bible was first proclaimed to the world by James Relly. The 
second meeting here of those who were disposed to favor this 
new sect was held, perhaps, within a year of the preceding. 
It was attended at the meeting-house chiefly by persons from 
the neighboring towns, where this transatlantic heresy had 
even then, it seems, gained considerable currency. Persons 



84 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

are now living among us who have heard Murray himself 
preach at Oxford. Indeed, this founder of the sect in our 
country died in Boston, 1815, only twenty years ago. Thus 
it appears that Universalism is an exotic of recent growth. 
Subsequent to this second meeting, none was held for the 
purpose of inculcating it here for a long period. Yet the 
seeds of error which had been sown did not die. The first 
academy designed especially to mature and cultivate it was 
erected about 181 6. During this time and somewhat previ- 
ously, there were occasional appointments for this object at 
the dwelling-house of the individual who was the principal 
agent in building it. The designs of this individual and those 
associated with him, in respect to the diffusion of this new 
doctrine, to which the academy was to be made subservient, 
were, in a measure, frustrated by the burning of this edifice. 
Constructed and fitted up as a place for instruction, not only in 
literature and science, but also in religion, — universal religion, 
— it caught fire, and was consumed just on the eve of its com- 
pletion. And, although another was erelong erected, bearing 
the appellation of the original projector, it has only, in a very 
limited degree, if at all, subserved, and failed entirely to 
accomplish, the object which he intended. 

Previous to 1S19, some few individuals attached or favorable 
to the Methodist denomination resided here. But they seldom, 
if ever, assembled by themselves for religious worship. At 
the pei-iod above named, however, during the prevalence of a 
general religious excitement, they not only mingled with the 
Congregationalists in their frequent convocations, but held 
meetings of their own appointment. Thus commenced their 
efforts and operations among this people as a separate denomi- 
nation. 

In respect to the physicians who have practised in town, 
though I am not able to state the time when they commenced 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 85 

or terminated severally their professional careers, I can 
mention their names in the order, I believe, in which they 
succeeded one another. The first, according to the records 
which I have had opportiinit}' to examine, was William 
Stimpson from Reading ; the second was John Day ; the third 
was Doctor Walden ; the fourth, Doctor Lillie ; the fifth, John 
Eliot Eaton. To him succeeded the present practitioner. 
Dr. Samuel P. Knight. Previous to Doctor Eaton, and prob- 
ably during the early part of his course, a son of the Rev. Mr. 
Gleason pursued to some little extent here the medical pro- 
fession, and also a man by the name of James Walcot. This 
town has hitherto sustained a character for health and lon- 
gevity equal, probably, to any other in the State, superior 
certainl}' to some in the vicinity. 

In the year 1S19, there prevailed among this people, as 
in many other parts of our land, an vmcommon religious 
interest. The attention of numbers, previously estranged from 
God and the way of life, was turned to the things of their 
everlasting peace. They sought the Lord and found Him, and 
shared in the ineffable benefits of His grace. Large accessions 
were made to the Church ; and, as many of you can remember 
far better than I can describe, Zion was made to rejoice with 
thanksgiving and praise to her Lord and King. And precious 
fruits of that interesting season of merciful visitation are still 
witnessed in our midst, though some who were then numbered 
with the people of God have turned back, and walk no more 
with them. 

A result of that, similar to results which have followed 
other revivals of religion, was the alienation of some farther 
than before from evangelical doctrines and the institutions of 
the Gospel. Citizens, who until this time had retained the 
Puritan habit of a regular attendance at the house of God on 
the Sabbath, now, being offended, began to decline, and 



86 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

erelong became open opposers of truth and godliness. Men 
who do not love the truth may associate with those who do in 
what pertains to the exterior of religion, in observing the 
ceremonials of worship and the forms of divine institutions ; 
but when the light of truth is clearly exhibited, and its power 
is made to tell on the heart and conscience, when the claims 
of duty are vividly presented and urged as immediately obliga- 
tory on every impenitent, disobedient subject of God's govern- 
ment, many oftentimes turn away and close every avenue of 
their minds against the light. It was so in primitive ages 
under the preaching of Christ and His apostles. It has been 
so ever since, when, with their spirit and manner, truth and 
duty have been proclaimed to guilty men. This is by no 
means to be laid to the charge of the Gospel of Christ. That 
numbers are offended at revivals of religion and often become 
hardened thereby, is no argument against them ; certainly as 
far as they are not marred by human imperfection. It is the 
fault only of those who will not hear the truth, who will not 
yield to the self-denying duties of godliness, who love dark- 
ness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. 

The revival of 1819 appears to have been the first instance 
of a similar deep, pei-vading religious interest among the 
people of this town. 

There was also an unusual attention to religion here in 
1837, though far less general than on the former occasion. 

More than ordinary interest on this momentous subject 
prevailed among you likewise in the autumn of 1831. That 
is the year distinguished as the first in which protracted meet- 
ings were generally held. Commencing in the State of New 
York, the example was soon followed extensively in our coun- 
try, attended with important and salutary results. Such a 
meeting was held here in November of the year last named. 
In the course of several months subsequent to this, about thirty 
individuals were gathered into the Church. 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 87 

I have thus presented a brief sketch of the most important 
events and transactions pertaining to the place of your resi- 
dence, as far as I have been able to learn them. I might have 
been more full and particular in my relation, but this would 
have surpassed the limits I have assigned to myself of a single 
discourse. 

In reviewing these events and transactions occasion is fur- 
nished for profitable reflection. History affords instruction, 
interesting and valuable. It is my intention, however, to 
detain you with but a very few suggestions. 

Were I disposed, for the purpose of correction and improve- 
ment (if such might at all be the result), to dwell at all on 
what appear to be defects and errors in the manner in which 
affairs here have been conducted in times past, I should select 
as one topic the want of early, careful, and persevering atten- 
tion to schools. There does seem to be in this respect, 
certainly, when compared with the practice of New England 
generally, quite a deficienc)'. But I will not enlarge on this 
particular, will not arraign those who sleep in the dust at the 
bar of our judgment. Probably they had reasons for the 
course they pursued which we do not see, nor can easily 
appreciate. Let that pass. Only would I say, let their pos- 
terity look to this concern, involving very greatly their welfare 
as individuals and as a community, with unsleeping vigilance 
and a fostering care. 

Another thing which would not escape our notice, were we 
disposed to animadvert on the deficiencies of the past, is the 
neglect to meet fully and promptly the annual pecuniary 
demands made upon the members of this Society. An observ- 
ance of the precept would doubtless be as salutary, if it is not 
as obligatory, on communities as on individuals, — "to owe 
no man anything." A neglect of it usually operates to distract 
and paralyze. A delinquency of this kind has unquestionably 



88 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

tended to deter those otherwise desirous of a religious connec- 
tion here, and diminish the congregation. 

But, notwithstanding their defects, there is still very much 
reason for respect and gratitude to those who preceded you 
as progenitors, and as members of this community, for that 
degree of elevation of character which they possessed, for the 
enlightened views they entertained, for all the solicitude they 
felt and care taken to establish and continue to you the institu- 
tions of education and religion, to secure and perpetuate your 
well-being, temporal and eternal. It was characteristic of the 
fathers of New England that, in all their important plans and 
labors, they had a special and most laudable distinguished 
regard for the welfare of their posterity. And to them, as our 
ancestors, it is due that we cherish a very grateful and venerated 
remembrance of them. Yet far more cause have we for grati- 
tude to God, that in His wise and benevolent arrangements 
we are descendants of such men, that His good providence 
has prepared for us so goodly a heritage, that our allotment 
is cast in this favored land, and in this peculiarly favored 
part of it. Though, in accordance with the appointment and 
the appropriate duties of this day, fasting, humiliation, and 
penitence may well be exercised for mis-improvement of 
our distinguished birthright, yet ought we also to present 
our very grateful acknowledgments to our heavenly Bene- 
factor for these superior advantages. His peculiar favor 
shown us hitherto should not only awaken our gratitude, but 
afford strong encouragement for continual unshaken confi- 
dence in His kind and righteous providence. A review and 
contemplation of events in respect to the fathers of New 
Eno-land, and to your own ancestors, is suited to impress the 
mind with a sense of the truth, that the Most High exercises 
a superintending, controlling agency in human affairs, that He 
" ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 89 

he will " ; suited to teach us the wisdom of obedience to 
God and of trust in Him. May you so learn these instructions 
of His providence, and both by precept and practice so declare 
them " to your children, that you and they shall set your hope 
in God and not forget his works, but keep his command- 
ments." 

The state of things, both in a political and religious point 
of view, is now considerably changed from what it was in the 
earlier periods of our country and town. There is certainly 
in some respects more intelligence, a wider range of thought. 
Having been longer away from that monarchical influence 
where one or a few assume the right to dictate, in things moral 
as well as civil, to the many, our citizens take more latitude 
and freedom in forming and expressing, and consequently 
entertain more diverse, opinions. Mind comes more in colli- 
sion with mind, eliciting intellectual effort, and occasioning — 
while the cause of truth is, on the whole, advanced — the 
introduction and propagation of many errors. This were to 
be expected from the genius of our political institutions of 
religion, or aid in their support. She, the daughter of the 
skies, is left to her own resources, her own inherent purity, 
excellence, and heaven-born energy to sustain her course. 
Appearing in her native loveliness, and shedding around her 
sacred, holy influences, she deigns to employ those only who 
are attracted by her celestial form and have imbibed her spirit, 
only willing and voluntary coadjutors. On all such she calls 
with earnest voice to arm themselves with her peculiar 
weapons of defence and aggression, — those of truth and love, 
— to gird on the entire panoply of the Gospel and prepare for 
the contest. For there is little question that more severe 
conflicts are to be maintained — conflicts between truth and 
error — than have ever yet been witnessed, before the former 
will, as it is destined to, become universally triumphant. Let 



90 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

those, therefore, who love the truth and desire its prevalence, 
laying aside their unimportant diflerences, unite their energies 
to advance this holy cause. Let them employ only the 
weapons of light and love with skill and efficiency and perse- 
verance, trusting in God, and they will prevail. As errors 
and vices are attacked, the opposition of their abettors will be 
called forth. But let the friends of truth and righteousness 
only be united, steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the 
work of the Lord, and certain success awaits them ; their 
efforts will eventually be crowned with results which will 
gladden earth and heaven. 



§.xtxact^ 

FROM RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF DUDLEY. 



EXTRACTS FROM RECORDS OF THE 
TOWN OF DUDLEY. 



The act incorporating the town of Dudley was 
accepted b}^ the people, June i, 1732. The act of 
incorporation passed by the General Court of the 
Massachusetts Bay is the first entry on the town 
records, and is as follows: — 

"An Act for making a new town in the County of 
Worcester called by the name of Dudley. 

Whereas, there are many inhabitants already settled on a 
tract of land lying between the towns of Woodstock and 
Oxford in the county of Worcester who, together with others 
on the southwest part of Oxford are very remote from any 
place of the Public Worship of God, are conveniently situated 
for a township and have petitioned this Court to be erected 
into a separate township, accordingly, — 

Be it enacted by his Excellency the Governor, Council 
and Representatives in General Court assembled, and by 
the authorit}^ of the same, that all the lands lying within the 
bounds following, viz, : — The Colony or Patent line and the 
township of Woodstock on the south, the grant made to 
Medfield on the west, the land of Mr. Pumpillions on the 
north unto the farm belonging to Paul Dudley, Esquire, and 
by the same partly on the east until it comes to Stony river, 
and by said river to the brook coming out of Chaubunagunga- 
maug pond and out of said pond to the Colony or Patent line, 
— be and hereby are constituted into a distinct and separate 



94 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

township by the name of Dudley, and that the inhabitants of 
the said township be vested with the powers, privileges, 
immunities, that the inhabitants of any town of this province 
by law are or ought to be vested with. 

Provided and be it further enacted that nothing in this act 
contained shall excuse or free any of the lands or inhabitants 
that have been taxed by the town of Oxford according to the 
order of this Court, from paying all past dues but that they 
and their lands be subjected to pay their town, county and 
ministerial rates and taxes in the same manner as they would 
have been if this act had never been made. 

Passed by the Representatives and in Council and consented 
to by the Governor. 

Copy examined, t tir o > 

^ ■^ J. vViLLARD, beery. 

This is a true copy of this act, 

John Lillie, Town Clerk." 

In the House of Representatives, June i, 1732. Ordered 
that Joseph Edmunds, one of the principal inhabitants of the 
town of Dudley in the county of Worcester, be directed and 
empowered to notify and summon the inhabitants of said town 
of Dudley qualified for voters, to assemble and meet together 
sometime in the month of June current for the choosing of 
town officers to stand until the next annual election according to 
law, any law, usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding. 

Sent up for concurrence, t r\ 01 

^ ' J. (^yiNCY, Speaker. 

In Council June i, 1732. Read and consented to, 

J. WiLLARD, Secr'y. 

In Council, Jvme i, 1732. Consented to, 

J. Belcher. 

True Copy, Examined, 

J. WiLLARD, vSecr'y. 




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THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 95 

The first town meeting was held at the house 
of William Carter, on June 20, 1732. The town 
officers chosen were as follows: — 

Selectmen. Joseph Edmunds, James Corbin, Ebenezer 
Edmunds, George Robinson, John LilHe. 

Town Clerk. John Lillie. 

Constable. Joseph Putney. 

Surveyors of Highways. Samuel Newell, William Carter. 

Fence Viewers. Joshua Healey, Clement Corbin. 

Tithing-men. Benjamin Conant, Jonathan Newell. 

Hog reeves. David Sandrick, Joseph Wakefield. 

Field Drivers. James Corbin, Jr., Ebenezer Bacon. 

Town Treasurer. Jonathan Newell. 
All were duly sworn according to law. 

A second town meeting was held on the 29th ol 
June, 1732, of which the following is a verbatim 
report: — 

" June the 29, 1732. At a meeting in Dudley at the house of 
William Carter in said town at 12 of the clock, chosen Mod- 
erator for the same James Corbin, sen. 

1 Voted to hire a minister for a year. 

2 Voted to raise the money to pay the minister upon polls 
and improved lands and stock. 

3 Voted that Wm. Carter's house be the house for to meet 
in to hear the Gospel preached in. 

4 Voted that select men shall provide the minister for this 
term. 

5 Voted that the select men shall provide the place to 
board the minister at. 

6 Voted that Jonathan Newell be the man to set the psalm 
at public worship. 



96 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

7 Voted that Joseph Pepper be the man to read the psahn, 

8 Voted that Wm, Carter's barn yard be the pound for this 
current year. 

9 Voted that William Carter be the pound keeper, provided 
the select men do provide him a lock." 

The next town meeting was held on September 
iith, at 12 o'clock, at which it was voted, — 

To send two men to their honors namely Judge Dudley and 
Colonel Dudley and Colonel Fitch to see whether these gentle- 
men will do any thing towards our settling of a minister and 
building of a meeting house. 

3 Voted that Joseph Edmunds and George Robinson be the 
men to treat with these gentlemen for the town in this affair. 

3 Voted that Samuel Newell's house be the house to meet 
in on the Sabbath when it is removed from William Carter's. 

4 Voted that our town meetings be warned from time to 
come by setting up a notification on our public meeting 
house. 

November 29, 1732, it was in a town meeting, — 

4 Voted that the north side of the Indian land near William 
Carter's land be the place to set the meeting house on. 

6 Voted and chose the Reverend Mr. Isaac Richardson for 
a gospel minister to settle in said town. 

7 Voted by the inhabitants of said town that they will give 
to their minister [we mean the person above expressed in 
accepting our call] a settlement of one hundred and fifty pounds 
money together with a lot of land of one hundred acres given 
by the honorable William Dudley, Esq., for that use to the 

town. 

8 Voted by the said inhabitants that Mr. Isaac Richardson 
accepting of this offer according to this choice shall have a 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 97 

salary or yearly reward for his labor in the gospel, viz : For 
the first year eighty pounds; for the second, eighty-five 
pounds ; and so adding five pounds yearly until it rise to an 
hundred pounds money yearly. 

9 Voted that the select men namely Joseph Edmunds 
James Corbin Ebenezer Edmunds George Robinson John 
Lillie together wath Jonathan Hobbs Benjamin Conant Joseph 
Putney be a committee to present their votes to Mr. Isaac 
Richardson and to make their return to the inhabitants above 
said. 

Answering a petition of the town the General Court, under 
date of Dec. 14, 1732, allowed the selectmen of said town to 
levy and assess a tax of two pence " a acer" on one hundred 
on all the lands lying within the said township [the Indian 
lands excepted] , for the full space of five years next ensuing, 
for paying the ministerial and other charges arising therein. 

At a meeting held Feb. 36, 1732-3, at the house of Samuel 
Newell, the town voted to give Rev Mr Isaac Richardson 
twenty five cords of wood, cut and carted to his house, yearly, 
in addition to salary before named. Also, that the ordination 
of Rev. Mr. Richardson be referred to the last Wednesday 
in August next ensuing, and that the inhabitants raise the sum 
of £25 to defray expenses of such ordination. Also, " that 
Joshua Heleys hous be the hous to have the ordainaition in 
and Mr Joseph Edmunds hous to be the hous to provid for 
the minesters and meshoners which com to atend upon the 
ordanaitoon." Also, "that the reverend Mr Fisk of Kil- 
lingly, the reved Mr Williams of Pomfret the Revd Mr 
Jackson of Woborn the Revd Mr Combell of Oxford the 
Revd IMr Throop of Woodstock the Revd Mr Cobbot of 
Thomson the Revd Mr Printee of Hassanamiseco ware 
chosen by the Town to assist at the ordainaiton of the 
Revernd Mr Isaac Richardson." 



98 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Wan-ant Mar. 12, 1733. . . . " to se wether or no the 
town will grant Mr Morris request namely to move the meet- 
ing house place to the top of the south part of the Indian 
hill." "To se which of the two days which the town hass 
all redy pickt upon for the ordination of the reverend mr Isaac 
Richardson shall be the day for the ordination, it being in 
controversie namely wether the first wensday in June or the 
Last wenday in August." 

" March ye 20 our anewell town meeting asembled at the 
house of William Cartel's." 

Moderator chosen for the sd meeting Mr James Corbin 
senior. 

1 Voted sleet man ^ Joseph Edmunds, ^Ebenezer Edmunds, 
^Benj* Conant, ■* Richard kider, ^Joshua healy. 

2 Voted Benja Conant town clerk for the year insuing. 

14 Voted that the first Wensday in June next be the day for 
the ordaination of the reverend Mr Isaac Richardson. 

15 Voted that the eighteenth day of April next be the day 
for our privit fast in this place. 

Meeting April 23, 1733. 

4 Voted that the charg of the ordaination of the reverend 
Mr Isaac Richardson be defrayed by a rate. 

Dudley, April 23, 1733. At a meeting of the church regu- 
larly convened at the house of Joseph Putneys on sd day, — 

1 Voted and chose Mr. Jonathan hobs moderrater for sd 
meeting. 

2 Voted and chose Benja" Conant dark for sd meeting. 

3 Voted and chose the reverend mr Isaac Richardson to be 
our minister in the gospel in sd town. 

4 Voted that the day for ordaination of the reverend mr 
Isaac Richardson be on the first wensday in June next. 

5 Voted and chose Joseph putney, Joseph Sebin and 
Benja" Conant be the persons to present the churchs vote to 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 99 

the reverend mr Isaac Richardson which vote of the church 
being imeadeitly presented to the town to se weather the town 
would comply with the churchs vote for the ordaination which 
accordingly they voted concurd with the vote of the church 
that the first wensday in June next be the day for the ordaina- 
tion of the reverend mr Isaac Richardson. 
Dudley, August 23, 1733- 

2 Voted in answer to mr Richardsons request signefing he 
was no ways obliged to the town as to his seteling with them. 

3 Voted that the town will maintain preaching for the 
futuer. 

Dudley, September 4, 1733. 

2 Voted and chose captain Ebenezer Edmunds to se to 
procure a minister to preach the gospel to us and Likewise 
to go to the honourble judge Dudleys to se whate incourig- 
ment there honours will give us towards our building a meeting 
house. 

3 Voted that sixty pounds money shall be raised upon the 
inhabitance of sd town to pay what the town is now in dept 
and to defray the charge of preaching and other nesesary chargs 
from this time till march next insueing. 

[Evidently a skip in town records here, warrant of i6 Oct., 1733, 
succeeded by report of meeting held 30 Jan., I733-4-] 

Meeting assembled at dwelling of William Carter on 30 
January, 1733-4 

2 Voted that if these honourable gentlemen namly judge 
Dudley and cornol Dudley will procur us land at a reasonable 
rate for to set our meeting house on in Joshua pegins old field 
were there is a small walnut tree marked with a heap of stons 
a little to ye est of it and land convenient for a burying place 
and a traning field by the same then our last votes for the 
placeing our meeting house is reconsidered but if we cant 
obtain the land we expect for the aforesd uses then the vote 



loo THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

at our last meeting for setting our meeting house on William 
Carters land is to re main as it was. 

4 Voted that the town will build a meeting house five and 
forty feet long and forty feet wide. 

8 Voted that cap Ebenezer Edmonds M' Georg robuson, 
insign Clement Corbin mr Samuel Newell, mr thomas cheney, 
be a committee to carry on the work of our meeting house. 

Meeting Maixh 4, 1734, at house of William Carters. 

4 Voted Benja" Conant the second select man for ye year 
insuing. 

8 Voted Benja Conant town clerk for the year insuing, 
continued. 

Meeting March 13, 1734, at the dwelling house of William 
Carters. 

2 Voted and granted by the town one hundred and ten 
pounds money to defray the charg of preaching and other 
nesisery chargs for the year insuing at as far as the money 
will go. 

3 Voted and chose M' James Corbin, M'' William Carter, 
Mr benja" newell, for a committee to j^i'ovid preaching for the 
town for the year insuing and also to provid a place to board 
the minister at. 

4 Voted 3 pounds to Mr William Carter for the use of his 
house for the year insuing to meet at on the Sabbath and as 
sd Carter has had the same trouble 3 years past he freely gives 
the whole to the town which makes nine pound. 

5 Voted that the town adds five foot to the lengeth of our 
meeting house and to have it two and twenty foot studs. 

6 Voted that our town inhabitance are to work about our 
meeting house at any sort of work accept a master workman 
for four shillings and six pence a day and find themselves. 

7 Voted a pair of oxen and cart to work at four shilings 
a day, 2 shilings for each, refering to the work of our 
meeting house. 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. loi 

8 Voted that persons shall be at there work at eight o'clock 
in the morning. 

9 Voted that the town will now proceed to fall and hew 
the timber for our meeting house and after planting to draw 
the timber to gather and after haying to frame and gite it up 
as soon as may be. 

11 Voted Mr James Corbin, Mr Joseph Edmunds for a 
commitee to go with Mr Morris up to judge Chandlers con- 
cerning some land we hope to buy of the Indians for our 
meeting house and burying place and training field and also 
fifty acers adjoyning for a pasnaig. 

12 Voted that the town accepted the rode laid out by the 
selectmen from Mr georg robusons to our proposed meeting 
house place as it is alraedy markt. 

Meeting Nov. 30, 1733. 

2 Voted to oblige mr Moris in setting our meeting house 
on the south end of the Indian land on the highest part of it. 
Meeting Oct. 14, 1734. 

2 Voted that Wensday the 23 day of October instant be 
the day for the raising of our meeting house. 

3 Voted that the town will come togather on tuesday the 
22 of this instant at 7 a clock in the morning for the levilling 
the Sills and do what thay can towards raising the house. 

Meeting Monday 3 March, 1735. 

3 Voted Benja" Conant ye 2 select man. 

7 Voted and continued Benja" Conant town clerk. 

17 Voted by the town and concured with the vote of the 
church that thirsday ye 22 day of March instant be the day of 
fasting and j^rayer in order for the choice of a minester to 
settle with us. 

At a meeting of the inhabitance of the town of Dudley reg- 
ularly assembled at our meeting house in sd town on thirsday 
ye tenth day of April 1735. 



I03 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

2 Voted and chose the reverend M'' perlly how to settle 
with us in the work of the ministry by a great majority both 
by church and town. 

Following record of the town meeting of date 14 May, i735' 
is the below, in handwriting of Benjamin Conant, town 
clerk : — 

"the day of the reverend Mr perley hows ordaination to 
the work of ye ministry in Dudley was on the 1 3 day of June 
1735 and the sd Mr howe was the first minister that ever 
was settled in sd town and the gentlemen that ordained Mr 
howe to sd work was the reverend Mr troop of Woodstock, 
the reverend Mr peebody of natick, and the reverend Mr 
Walter of Roxbury." 

Meeting friday ye tenth day of October 1735. 

2 Voted and grant to defray what charge the town has been 
at towards our meeting house .... JC3 13-6-2 

Warrant Mar 25, 1737. 

1 To proseed to do something forthere to our meeting house 
as to build the pullpit, the ministers pew and the body seats, 
and to chose a commitee to git this work done. 

[At the meeting subsequent this article was voted for with negative 
result.] 

Meeting friday 18 November 1737. 

2 Voted to procui-e stuff to do something more to our 
meeting house namly, the pullpit, the body seats, the ministers 
pue, and deceans seat. 

3 Voted and chose Benja" Conant, William Carter and 
manasah horsmere for a commitee to procure the above men- 
tioned stuff for our meeting house and to git the work done as 
soone as may be with conveniencey. 

Meeting 23 May, 1738. 

3 Voted twenty pounds in addition to the reverend Mr. 
hows salerry for this year. 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 103 

4 Voted to the reverend Mr howe a roome in our meeting 
for a pue perticlerly to himself and family on the same footing 
that the rest of the roome shall be disposed of. This vote 
concerning the pue vs^as in answer to Mr hows request. 

5 Voted that those persons which have the roome in the 
meeting house for the puse shall build the same. 

At a meeting of the inhabitance of the town of Dudley 
regulerly assembled at our meeting house in sd town on friday 
the 26th day of January 173S-9. 

3 Voted in answer to the reverend m' hows request that the 
minestorial pewe shall be built at the west end of the pulpit, 
adjoning to the pulpit stairs. 

3 Voted to confirm the pews to those persons which have 
been highst in the chargs according to the formere vote of the 
town, relating to the pews in our meeting house. 

4 Voted to the honourable cornel Dudley a pewe adjoning 
to the east end of the pulpit. 

5 Voted to Deacon Edmunds the norwest corner pewe. 

6 Voted to William Carter a pewe adjoining to the east sid 
the front doore. 

7 Voted to Joshua healy a pewe adjoining to the west sid 
the front doore. 

8 Voted to Sam" Newell the midle pewe in the north sid of 
the meeting house east from the pulpit. 

9 Voted to Cap' Edmunds a pewe on the south sid the west 
doore. 

10 Voted to Esq' Vintin a pewe adjoining on the north sid 
the east doore. 

1 1 Voted to georg robinson a pewe adjoining on the south 
sid the east doore. 

12 Voted to clement corbin a pewe adjoining on the north 
sid the west doore. 

13 Voted to Joseph Scott senier ye pewe adjoining to 
William Carters. 



I04 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

14 Voted to Ebenezer Bacon a pewe adjoining to Joshua 
healeys. 

15 Voted to Benja" Conant a pewe in the northeast corner 
of the meeting house. 

16 Voted to Daniel Corborn senr ye midle pew adjoind to 
Esq Vintins. 

17 Voted to David Southwick the midle pewe adjoining to 
Clement Corbins, 

Meeting Feb. 20, 1738-9. 

2 Voted that M' Sam" Morris sen'' shall have that pewe 
adjoining to the east end of the pullpit upon cornol Dudley 
refusing the same ; the sd M'' Morris and his heirs are to enjoye 
the sd pew upon there paying what is behind towards the 
chargs of our meeting house in proportion to what another has 
paid that has a pew^e of the like dignity, and also so long as 
they shall pay towards the chargs of our town, refering to 
finishing the meeting house and the ministers rate, and if the 
sd M'' Morris or his heirs shall neglect or refuse to pay theere 
proportion of the sd chargs then the sd pewe is to return to 
the town again. M' georg robinson, James Corbin, Joseph 
putney, Nathan Bemis, Sam" Corbin, paul robinson & Nathan 
ramsdill these persons above named now at this present meet- 
ing do hear enter there desent against this vote relating to 
M' Morrises having a pewe in our meeting house. 

3 Voted to M'' Jonathan newell that pewe adjoining to the 
west pait of M' Ebenezer bacons. 

Meeting May 22, 1739. 

2 Voted to set the pound upon the northeast corner of the 
four acres that the meeting house stands on. 

1 Voted to Deacon Joseph Edmunds that pue in the north- 
west corner of the meeting houe joyning to M' Howes. 

2 Voted to William Carter that pue on east sid of the front 
doors. 



NORTH. 




Worn : 






e\ 


ri3^fto 


M 



FLOOR PLAN OF FIRST CHURCH, SHOWING LOCATION OF PEWS, FROM OLD TOWN RECORDS. 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 105 

3 Voted to Joshua Healy that pewe on the west sid of the 

front doors. 

4 Voted to Samuel Newell that midel pue on the east side 

of the pulpit. 

5 Voted to Ebenezer Edmunds that pue on the east side of 

the pulpit. 

6 Voted to John Vinton Esq' that pewe on the Right hand 

of the east doors. 

7 Voted to George Robinson that pue on the south side of 

the east doors. 

8 Voted to Clement Corbin that pue joyning Joshua Healeys 
on the west side of the front doors. 

9 Voted to Dacon Benjamin Conant that peue on the north- 
east corner of the meeting house. 

10 Voted to Thomas Cheney that midel pue on the east 
side of the front doors joyning to M' Carters. 

1 1 Voted to James Corbin that pue on the south side of the 
west doors. 

1 3 Voted to Jonathan Newell that pue on the north side of 

the west doors. 

13 Voted to Benjamin Newell the midel pue on the 
north side of the east doors betwen esq Vintons ad Dacon 
Conants. 

14 Voted to Ebenezer Bacon the midel pue on the north 
side of the west doors. 

15 Voted to Samuel Corbin that pue on the south side of 
the east doors joyning to the womens stairs. 

16 Voted to Joseph Putney that pue on the south sid of the 
west doors betwen James Corbin and the stairs. 

Meeting March 5, 1744. 

23 Voted to have the School house opened two hours a 
Sabbath Day Noons. 



io6 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Meeting June ii, 1744. 

2 Voted and chose Mr Charls gleason of Brookline to the 
work of the gospel ministry in sd town by a great majority of 
vots 46 vots out of 54. 

Meeting Sept. 13, 1744. 

4 Voted that Mr Jonathan Newell and Mr. Benja" Newell 
of Dudley shall have that pew that Mr Joseph vScott built in 
our meeting house, upon the same footing the rest of the pews 
are disposed of, there paying the first cost in building the 
same. 

Letter of acceptance from Rev. Chas. Gleason is of date 
Sept. 13, 1744. 

Meeting Monday May iS, 1747. 

4 Voted 100 pounds old tenor to provide stuff' for our 
galery stairs and to finish the galery flower and do the brest 
work of the galery or as fare as the money will go. 

5 Voted and chose esq"" Vinton, insign newell, and Mr 
Joseph putney for a committee to procure the above sd stuff' 
and to git sd work Done as soon as they can. 

6 Voted forty shillings old tenor a year to roger Carter for 
taking care of our meeting house, namly, for opening 3'e 
doors & sweeping sd house. 

Meeting Sept. 26, 174S. 

5 Voted that every person haveing a window adjoyning to 
his pew in our meeting house shall maintain the glass of sd 
window against his pew. 

Meeting Wednesday 20th May 1752. 

6 Voted to build the galler seats. 

7 Voted £13-6-8 lawful money to defray ye charg of build- 
ing sd seats. 

Meeting 25 Sept. 1754- 

4 Voted 2-0-0 lawful money to defray the charge of sealing 
up the back sid of our pulpit. 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 107 

Meeting ist March, 1756. 

25 Voted John Curtis, Philip Corbin, Elijah Dodge, 
Sam" May and Elishua Corbin for a committee to seat our 
meeting house and the method to go bj^ is age and estate. 

Meeting March 7, 1757. 

27 Voted to a number of persons the south part of our 
meeting house in the mens gallery to build a pew, namely, 
Jonathan Dennis, Joseph Healy, Sam" Eams, Nathaniel 
Healy, Mark Elwell, Daniel Newel, philip Newell. 

28 Voted to Benja" Morris and Sam" Fairbanks jun' the 
Southeast corner of our meeting house our the wemans stairs 
to build them a pew, they not discommoding the stairss nor 
windows. 

39 Voted to Job Roewe and James Fuller that pew in our 
meeting house that was Cap* Clement Corbins on the same 
footing that the others were disposed of, vz : — they to injoy it 
during there abode in the town and at there leaving ye town 
sd pew to return to the town again the town paying them the 
cost of building sd pew. [In letter, dated Killingly, Mar. 7, 
1 75 1, Benj. Morris and Sam'l Fairbanks, jr., state, " we desire 
a priviledge of Building a pew over the wemans stairs."] 

Meeting Mar. 5, 1759. 

29 Voted to a number of young men the southwest corner 
of our meeting house over the mens stairs for to build them a 
pue at there own cost and charge and whenever the town 
shall cause to improve it any other way they expect there cost 
back again. Joseph Upham, David Kider, Lemuel Corbin, 
Brown Dodge, Eben^ tayler. Tire Vinton, Will" Morris, 
Stephen Carter. 

Meeting May 24, 1759. 

5 Voted that the young men are not to have the pue which 
they built in the west gallery of our meeting house. 

6 Voted that the young men are not to have cost for build- 
ing sd pue. 



io8 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

7 Voted that the sd young men may take away the sd pue 
when they se cause. 

Meeting Jan. 29, 1760. 

6 Voted and reconsider the vots that were past relating to 
the pue the young men built in the west gallery of our meet- 
ing house at meeting in may last. 

7 Voted the pue in the west gallery of our meeting house 
to the young men that built it, taking out Robert Webster and 
John Eams, and putting in Lef John Certis Nathaniel jewell 
and Andrew Coburn jun', they paying sd Webster and Eams 
there first cost in building, and it is expected that the owners 
of sd pue will maintain the glasse adjoyning to sd pue as 
others do. 

Meeting Mar. 3, 1760. 

31 Voted the selectmen as a committee to settle the bounds 
of our four acrees of land at our meeting house and to measure 
out y' rev** M' gleasons acree and a half of land on sd four acrees. 

Meeting May 20, 1761. 

2 Voted not to raise money to finish our meeting house. 

Meeting Dec. 29, 1761. 

2 Voted to do something further towards finishing our 
meeting house. 

3 Voted to shingle the roofe of our meeting house and to 
claboard y* gable ends. 

4 Voted to finish the inside of our meeting house by lath- 
ing and plastering the walls and under the great beems. 

6 Voted .£100-0-0 towards finishing our meeting house. 
Meeting May 20, 1762. 

7 Voted to dispose of those pewes which was M"^ Sam" Cor- 
bins and M' Job Roewes. 

8 Voted to Mr Philip that pewe un^er the wemans stairs 
which was M'' Sam" Corbins on the same footing the other 
pewes were disposed of, he paying y* first cost. 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 109 

9 Voted to Mr Jacob Chamberline behind the west meeting 
house doore that was formerly Cap" Clement Corbins on the 
same footing the other pewes were disposed of, he paying the 
first cost. 

Meeting Oct. 35, 1762. 

4 Voted to coloor our pulpit the canopee and the crest work 
of our gallery. 

Warrant Jan. i, 1768. 

2 To see if the town will agee to New Clabord our meet- 
ing house or any part there of. 

3 To see of Town will a gree to New build the front Door 
in sd house with a New Cap over the same and to do any thing 
to the other two Doors as the Town Shall think Necessary. 

4 To See if the Town will vote and agree to make New 
window fraims and Sashes and Glase the above sd house with 
24 Squares of Glass in each window 6 by 8 Glass. 

Meeting Jan. 16, 1768. 

2 Vote to New Claboard the body of our meeting house. 

3 Voted to New build the front Doors of our meeting 
house with a cap over the same and to do what is Necessary 
to the other Doors of sd house. 

4 Voted not to Glase our meeting house. 
Meeting May 17, 1768. 

4 Voted to Cholour our meeting house with an orange 
Cholour. 

Meeting Nov. 10, 1768. 

3 Voted to new Glaze our meeting house. 

4 Voted that any person that puts a new window into our 
meeting house Shall have the benifit of the old window. 

Meeting May 29, 1769. 

4 Voted that pue in our meeting house to Edward Curtis 
that was Cap' Paul Robinsons on the south side of the east 
Door upon the same footing our pews is voted to others. 



no THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Meeting Oct. 17, 1769. 

2 Voted to new paint oiu" meeting house. 

Meeting Mar. 5, 1770. 

46 Voted that pew to Edward & Nath" Davis that was 
Capt. Eben' Edmunds at the east end of the pulpit in our meet- 
ing house on the same footing the pews are disposed of to 
others as Described in the petition. 

Meeting May 19, 1774. 

7 Voted for the town to build the back pews in the 
Weomens gallary in our meeting. 

Meeting June 30, 1774. 

2 Voted Capt John Curtis, ^°° Wm. Earned and Edward 
Davis a Committee to Dispose of the pews that are Nuly built 
in our meeting house back of the weomans gallares to such 
jDersons as they Shall Judge they belong to. a note : — Set the 
time when the pew shall be paid for and if not paid for by 
that time to Dispose of them to others. 

Meeting May 27, 1776. 

7 Voted to Jedidiah Marcy Esq"" that pue in our meeting 
house that between Vinton and Conant pues on the same foot- 
ing the other pues are granted to others he paying four pounds 
lawful money for said pue and Building of it for the Benefit of 
William Coburn & famaly to be paid to the town. 

Meeting Marct 5, 17S1. 

14 Voted that the five hind seats in our body seats in the 
meeting house of each side of the broad alley be cut up for to 
build 8 pews upon the ground.- 

15 Voted to dispose of said pew Spots on the same footing 
our other pews are Disposed of. 

Dudley, March 19, 17S1. 

' ' We the Subscribers being appointed by the Town of 
Dudley as a Committee to Determin who should have the 
ground or Spots for the Eight pews that the Town at their 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH, iii 

adjonied meeting the twelfth Day of this Instant March Voted 
to have build where the five hind seats in our body seats now 
are ; having considered of the matter Do agree to report as 
follows, viz : Capt John Curtis & Son, to have one pew Spot, 
IVI'' Joseph Upham & Sons to have one pew spot, M"' Joseph 
Healey to have one pew Spot, Capt Benj* Morriss to have one 
pew Spot, M' John Dalrympbell and AP Simeon Wood to have 
one pew Spot, M"^ Elijah Gore & M' Ralph Vinton to have 
one pew Spot, Capt Sam" Healy & Capt John Eddy to 
have one pew Spot & Capt Lemuel Corbin & M' Moses Jewell 
to have one pew Spot : and said pews to be build in six 
months from the above Date and if not the Spots to return to 
the town, and the seats Shall not be taken up more than one 
month before the pews are fit to set in and the seats to be the 
property of the Town : and if any part of Said Seats are 
profitable towards building the pews the owners of the pews 
may have them allowing the Town the Value of said seats &c. 
Nathaniel Healy Edward Davis Jedidiah Marcy Daniel 
Newell, Committee." 

Meeting Oct. 30, 1786. 

4 Voted to grant Mr Isaac Lees petition to have the half of 
the pew spot that was granted to Ralph Vinton. 



^ccoxb^ of t^e (gonant gfamifp. 



RECORDS OF THE CONANT FAMILY.' 



Note. — The dagger (t) sign placed before a name indicates that 
the person becomes a parent, and refers the reader forward to the next 
generation of the family, where a more particular description may be 
found. 

I. ROGER CONANT, the immigrant and ancestor of 
most of those bearing the name in America, was baptized at 
All Saints Church, in the parish of East Btidleigh, Devonshire, 
England, April 9, 1592. He was the youngest of the eight 
children of Richard and Agnes (Clarke) Conant, " who were 
esteemed for their exemplary piety." His parents evidently 
instilled into their youngest son the principles for which they 
themselves were noted, for during his whole life he bore 
a character for strict integrity and devotion to principle. 
Richard Conant was one of the leading men of East Budleigh, 
a church warden, as was his father before him, and evidently 
in good circumstances; his wife, Agues Clarke, was the 
daughter of the leading merchant of Colyton, a neighboring 
parish. One of their sons was educated at Oxford, and Roger 
must have received a good education for the times, for he was 
frequently called upon to survey lands, lay out boundaries, and 
transact public business. On Jan. 30, 1619-20, Christopher 
Conant, grocer, and Roger Conant, Salter, both of the parish of 
St. Lawrence, Jewry, London, signed the Composition Bond 
of their brother John, for the " first fruits " of the rectory of 
Lymington. The records of the Salters' Company have been 
destroyed by fire, so legal evidence cannot be adduced to show 

« For most of the data concerning this family I am indebted to Frederick Odell 
Conant, M.A., author of" A History and Genealogy of the Conant Family in England 
and America." 



ii6 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

that Roger Conant was a freeman of that Company ; but the 
records of the Grocers' Company prove that Christopher 
Conant was apprenticed in 1609, and admitted to freedom 
March 14, 1616. The fact that Roger signed this legal docu- 
ment as " Salter of London," is strong presumptive evidence 
that he was free of the Salters' Company and a citizen of 
London. 

He was married in London in November, 16 18, where he 
went in 1609, probably, and there resided fourteen years, until 
1623, when he immigrated to New England. The name of the 
vessel in which he came is not certainly known, but it is 
extremely probable that it was the "Ann," which arrived at 
Plymouth about July, 1623, and in which his brother Christo- 
pher was a passenger. In a petition to the General Court, 
dated May 28, 1671, he stated that he had been "a planter in 
New England forty-eight years and upwards," which would 
fix the date of his arrival early in 1623. In the allotment of 
land to the passengers of the "Ann," ten acres were allotted 
to "Mr. Ouldom & those joyned with him," and these may 
have included, and probably did include, Roger Conant, his 
wife Sarah, and their son Caleb. The colonists with John 
Oldham (Mr. Ouldom) were "particulars," that is to say, 
they came at their own charge, while the " generals" came at 
the expense of the general stock or Company of Adventurers 
in England. 

He did not long remain at Plymouth, owing to a difterence 
of religious belief between himself and the Pilgrim Fathers. 
They were Separatists and he a Non-Conformist or Puritan. 
The ship " Charity " arrived in March, 1624, bringing supplies 
to the colonists, and also the Rev. John Lyford, a Puritan 
minister, who was sent , at the Company's expense. Soon, 
Oldham, leader of the " particulars," and Lyford, who was 
countenanced by some of the associates in England until they 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 117 

discovered his true cliaracter, began an intrigue against tlie 
colonists, wliich ended in tlieir expulsion in July, 1624. 
Roger Conant joined them soon afterward at Nantasket 
(Hull), where they had settled, from dislike of the "prin- 
ciples of rigid separation" which prevailed at Plymouth. 
Late in the fall of 1625, he took charge of the Cape Ann 
settlement, as its agent or governor, the location of this 
settlement being on the west side of what is now Gloucester 
Harbor, near Stage Head. This point projects a few hundred 
feet into the sea, and on it may still be seen the remains of a 
rude fort, now called Stage Fort, but named Fort Conant by 
its constructors. 

While he was at Cape Ann, a difficulty occurred between 
Capt. Miles Standish and a Captain Hewes, who had been 
sent over by Lyford and Oldham's friends, whicli he was 
instrumental in settling peaceably. The story runs thus : "In 
one of the fishing voyages about the year 1635, under the 
charge and command of one Mr. Hewes, employed by some 
of the west country merchants, there arose a sharp contest 
between the said Hewes and the people of New Plymouth, 
about a fishing stage, built the year before about Cape Ann 
by Plymouth men, but was now, in the absence of the builders, 
made use of by Mr. Hewes' company, which the other, under 
the conduct of Captain Standish, very eagerly and peremp- 
torily demanded; for the company of New Plymouth, having 
themselves obtained a useless patent for Cape Ann, about the 
year 1623, sent some of the ships, which their adventurers 
employed to transport passengers over to them, to make fish 
there ; for which end they had built a stage there, in the year 
1624. The dispute grew to be very hot, and high words 
passed between them, which might have ended in blows, 
if not in blood and slaughter, had not the prudence and 
moderation of Roger Conant, at that time there present, and 



ii8 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Mr. Peirse's interposition, that lay just by with his ship, timely 
prevented. For Mr. Hewes had barricadoed his company 
with hogsheads on the stage head, while the demandants stood 
upon land, and might easily have been cut off; but the ship's 
crew, by advice, promising to help them to build another, the 
difference was thereby ended. Captain Standish had been 
bred a soldier in the Low Countries, and never entered the 
school of our Saviour Christ, or of John Baptist, his har- 
binger, or, if he was ever there, had forgot his first lessons : 
to offer violence to no man, and to part with the cloak rather 
than needlessly contend for the coat, though taken away with- 
out order. A little chimney is soon fired ; so was the Plym- 
outh captain, — a man of very little stature, yet of a very hot 
and angry temper. The fire of his passion soon kindled, and, 
blown up into flame by hot words, might easily have consumed 
all, had it not been seasonably quenched." It is this incident 
in the life of Roger Conant that has been made the subject of 
a memorial window in this new edifice. The scene depicted 
by the painter sh6ws Roger Conant's influence for good 
among his fellow colonists, as also his Christian forbearance 
and love of peace. Conant was moderate in his views, toler- 
ant, mild and conciliatoiy, quiet and unobtrusive, ingenuous 
and unambitious, preferring the public good to his private 
interests ; with the passive virtues, he combined great moral 
courage and an indomitable will. His true courage and sim- 
plicity of heart and strength of principle eminently qualified 
him for the conflicts of those rude days of perils, deprivation, 
and trial. 

In the fall of 1636, Conant, with forty of his associates, 
removed to Naumkeag (Salem). Here he was frequently 
called to ofiices of honor and trust by his fellow townsmen 
and the General Court. He died in Salem, Nov. 19, 1679, in 
the eighty-eighth year of his age ; the place of his burial is not 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 119 

known. He married, in the parish of St. Ann's, Blackfriars, 
London, Nov. 11, 161S, Sarah Horton. Her parentage has 
not been ascertained; she was living in 1666, but probably 
died before her husband, as she is not mentioned in his will. 
Roger and Sarah (Horton) Conant had children: — 

Sarah, liorn about 1619. Died in infancy. 

Caleb, born about 1622. It appears that he came to 

America with his parents, but afterwards returned to Eng- 
land (probably for an education) , where he died unmarried. 
t Lot, born about 1624. 

Roger, born 1626. The first white child born 

in Salem. He married and had two children. 

Sarah, born about 162S. Married John Leach. 

Joshua, born about 1630. Married Seeth (Gardner.''). 

Mary, born about 1633. Married John Balch and 

William Dodge. 

Elizabeth, born 16 — . Living in 1679 unmarried. 

Exercise, born Salem, 1637. Married Sarah . 

3. LOT CONANT, third child of Roger and Sarah 
(Horton) Conant, was born about 1634, either at Nantasket or 
Cape Ann. He seems to have lived at Marblehead as early as 
1657 ; was selectman in 1662 ; and in May, 1674, is recorded 
as one of the one hundred and fourteen householders. On 
Nov. 20, 1666, his father gave him the homestead at Beverly 
with thirty-two acres adjoining and seventy-two acres in other 
parts of the town. On the same day, Lot leased the home- 
stead with three acres adjoining, composing the southern part 
of the home farm, to his father and mother for an annual 
rent of "one Indian corn." About this time, he probably 
moved to Beverly. He died Sept. 29, 1674, leaving estate 
inventoried at about =£780. He married Elizabeth Walton, 
daughter of Rev. William Walton, and they had children : — 



I30 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Nathaniel, born 1650, July 28. Married Hannah 

Mansfield, 
t John, born 1652, Dec. 15. 

Lot, born 1657-8, Feb. 16. Married Abigail 

and Elizabeth Pride. 

Elizabeth, born 1660, May 13. 

Mary, born 1662, July 14. Married Andrew 

Burley and Caleb Kimball. 
Martha, born 1664, Aug. 15. Married Luke 

Perkins. 
Sarah, born 1666-7, Feb. 19. Married George 

Trow. 
William, born 1666-7, ^'^' ^9- Married Mary 

Woodbury. 
Roger, born 1668-9, ^'J^^i- ^o- Married Mary 

Raymond. 
Rebecca, born i 670-1, Jan. 31. Married Nathaniel 

Raymond. 

3. JOHN CONANT, son of Lot and Elizabeth (Walton) 
Conant, was born in Beverly, Dec. 15, 1652. He was a 
farmer and weaver ; residence, Beverly ; served in King 
Philip's War in the company of Capt. Samuel Appleton ; 
was admitted to the First Church of Beverly, Aug. 23, 
1691 ; died Sept. 30, 1724. He married, May 7, 1678, Bithia 
Mansfield, daughter of Andrew and Bithia Mansfield of Lynn. 
John and Bithia (Mansfield) Conant had children: — 

Lot, born 1679, . Married Martha 

Cleaves, Susanna Clark, and Mary . 

Elizabeth, born 1681-2, Jan. 14. Married Daniel 

Coburn. 

Bithia, born 1684, Oct. 14. Married Jonathan 

Herrick. 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 121 

John, born 16S6, July 7. Married Martha 

Dodge and Mary (Lovett) Cressy. 

Deborah, born 16S7-S, Feb. 20. Married John 

Derby. 

Mary, born 16S9, Oct. 20. Died probably un- 

married, 
t Daniel, born 1694, Nov. 19. 

Rebecca, born 1696, Mar. 29. Married Benajmin 

Cleaves. 

Benjamin, born 169S, Oct. 22. Born in Beverly 

and removed to Dudley about 1728 ; was one of the first 
settlers of Dudley, and, in 1732, one of its incorporators. 
He was an active and enterprising citizen, and prominent 
in the public affairs of the town ; was town clerk for 
twenty-six years, from 1737 to 1763, and chairman of 
selectmen for thirteen years, from 1743 to 1756. He 
was also a deacon of the first church in Dudley. He re- 
moved to Warwick, Mass., in his old age, and there died 
Sept. 30, 1767. He married, first, Martha Davidson, 
and they had children : Lydia, Ezra (frequently men- 
tioned in the early records of Dudley), Abigail, Benja- 
min, Ebenezer, John, Asa, Martha, Benjamin. He 
married, second, vSept. 17, 1746, Lydia Lamb, and they 
had children : Abijah, Asa, Abigail, Lucy, Jemima. 

Jemima, born 1701, Nov. 9. Married John Batchelder. 

4. DANIEL CON ANT, son of John and Bithia 
(Mansfield) Conant, was born in Beverly, Nov. 19, 1694, 
He was a farmer and mason, and lived in Beverly ; was 
representative from Beverly to the General Court two 
years. He died 1751. Married, Jan. 23, 1716-17, Lucy 
Dodge of Ipswich. Daniel and Lucy (Dodge) Conant had 
children : — 



122 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 



Lucy, bom 171S, Apr. 2. Married Samuel Brimble- 

come, Jr. 
Daniel, Jr., born 
Mary, born 

Margaret, born 
Nathaniel, born 
Hephzibah, born 

elder. 
I JosiAH, born 

Elizabeth, born 
Martha, born 



1720, July 19. 
1722, Apr. 15. 
1724, June 15. 
1726, July 23. 
1729, Oct. 16. 

1732, Nov. 5. 
1735' Apr. 13. 
1739' Sept. 27. 



Married Elizabeth Dodge. 
Married Jonathan Baker. 
Married Joshua Dodge. 
Married Abigail Dodge. 
Married Jonathan Batch- 



Married Nathaniel Cressy. 



5. JOSIAH CONANT, son of Daniel and Lucy (Dodge) 
Conant, was born in Beverly, Nov. 5, 1732. He removed 
to Dudley, and there married. May 25, 1757, his cousin 
Martha, daughter of Deacon Benjamin Conant. Josiah Conant 
was a farmer, and lived in the north part of the town, near 
Charlton. It is supposed that he built the house and mill 
afterwards owned and occupied by his son Josiah. There is 
no record of his death, but his papers show that between 1793 
and 1796 he divided his property among his children, and that 
he was in feeble health ; probably 1 798 or 1 799 was the year 
of his death. The place of his burial is unknown. Josiah 
and Martha (Conant) Conant had children : — 

Lucy, born 175S, Oct. 8. Married John White. 

RuFUS, born 1760, Aug. 16. Married Dolly White. 

Lodemia, born 1762, Nov. 12. 
Hepzibah, born 1767, May 17. 
t Josiah, born 1770, Sept. 30. 
Lydia, born 17 — , 



Married Joseph Rich. 
Married Asa Mann. 

Nothing is known of 



this daughter, save that she was living in 1795, Oct. 5, on 
which date she signed receipt for her share of her father's 
estate. 



THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 123 

6. JOSIAH CONANT, Jr., son of Josiah and Martha 
(Conant) Conant, was born in Dudley, Sept. 30, 1770, and 
died Sept. 16, 1S13. He settled in the northern part of 
Dudley, afterwards known as Tufts Village, on a farm, and 
also owned a saw and grist mill, driven by the stream flowing 
from Baker's Pond. He married Lucy Foskett. After his 
death, she married Thomas Keith. Josiah, Jr., and Lucy 
(Foskett) Conant had children : — 

t Hervey, born 1796, June 3. 

Sylvia, born 179S, Aug. S. She married Capt. Lemuel 
Healy and they had two children, Josiah and Louisa, 
who at present (1S93) ^^^ living together in Moline, 111., 
on a blulf overlooking the Mississippi River. 

Josiah, born 1S04, Dec. 7. Married Alice Chaftee, and 
they had one son, who died young. She later married 
John Jewett, formerly of the Tufts Manufacturing Com- 
pany, Dudley. 

7. HERVEY CONANT, son of Josiah, Jr., and Lucy 
(Foskett) Conant, was born in Dudley, June 3, 1796. He 
succeeded to his father's farm and mills at the age of seventeen 
years, managing very successfully until the year 1S23, when he 
sold out, and engaged in the manufacture of woollen cloth, with 
Aaron Tufts and others, under the name of the Tufts Manufac- 
turing Company. They built quite a village in addition to 
their manufacturing plant, which was embraced in one large 
building of stone and several smaller buildings, some of stone 
and some of wood, which were equipped with what was then 
the best improved machinery. Mr. Tufts was president and 
treasurer, John Jewett was superintendent, and Mr. Conant 
secretary and book-keeper of the Company. 

For some unaccountable reason, Mr. Conant withdrew from 
his position as book-keeper, and opened a general store, after 



124 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

less than five years in that position. He succeeded fairly in 
business, and at one time had a partner, the firm name being 
Conant & Fitts. Later this store was destroyed by fire, inflicting 
a severe loss. It was immediately rebuilt, however, and the busi- 
ness continued with unflagging energy for several years. The 
memory of the fire was slowly fading from people's minds, when 
a second fire destroyed the establishment, making a second and 
more disastrous loss. He, nevertheless, erected another build- 
ing, and stocked it, purposing to continue the same business ; 
but having a favoi^able offer, sold out, and for several years tried 
hotel-keeping in East Webster, Mass. ; but not prospering in 
that to his satisfaction, returned to Dudley, and settling on his 
wife's father's estate, followed farming for a number of years. 
About 1847, ^^^ removed to Worcester, where one of his sons 
had settled. His residence in Worcester covered a space of 
nearly twenty years, but he died ia West Boylston, Mass., on 
a small estate which he had rented and occupied with his son 
Josiah, who was a practising homeopathic physician in that 
place. He was a quiet. Christian gentleman, of an even, 
gentle disposition, much beloved and respected by all who knew 
him. Although of more than average abilities, and well quali- 
fied by education, he did not seek public oflice. He was of a 
modest, retiring habit, but always ready to do a kind action. 
Throughout his adult life, he was a consistent member of the 
Congregational Church. He died May 21, 1S6S. He married 
first. May 13, 1S19, Dolly Healy, a daughter of Maj. Lemuel 
and Dolly (Corbin) Healy. She was born Dec. 15, 1796, 
and died May 22, 1843. Major Healy was a farmer of Dudley, 
a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and later a major of 
militia. Hervey Conant married second, Susan Stone of 
Grantham, N.H., who died in 1S69. Hervey and Dolly 
(Healy) Conant had children : — 



THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 125 

Lucy Foskett, born 1S20, May 24. Died in May, 1S46. 
She married, May 5, 1S45, Nelson Bennett of Stnrbridge, 
and they had one child, a danghter, Ellen Lucy Bennett, 
who married Harrison J. Conant. 

Dolly Healy, born 1821, Dec. 13. Married Raljoh U. 
Davison, of Brooklyn, Conn., and they had two children: 
Josiah Davison, wrho died young ; Henry H. Davison, who 
married, Nov. 28, 1S77, Ida Franklin Crowningshield. 

Samuel Hervey, born 1S25, July 29. Died Oct. 11, 1S50. 
Unmarried, 
t Hezekiah, born 1S27, July 28. 

Sylvia, born 1829, Nov. 9. Died aged 6 years. 

Josiah, born 1832, June 2. He attended the 

public schools of Dudley until his twelfth 3'ear, when, his 
family moving to Worcester, he became a pupil in the high 
school of that city. After leaving school, he learned the 
trade of a machinist. In 1851, he went West, where he 
remained until 1859, when he began the study of medicine 
with Dr. Green of Boston. During nine months of the 
War, he assisted in taking care of the sick and wounded 
soldiers in the hospitals at Washington. He then attended 
a medical college in Philadelphia, graduating in 1865. 
After practising a short time in Boston, he settled in 
West Boylston, Mass., where he resided until the death 
of his father, then removing to Great Falls, N.H., where 
he gained a large and successful practice. In tlic spring 
of 18S1, he was obliged to go South for his health, but 
received no benefit from the trip, and on his return was 
obliged to give up his practice ; in July of the same year, 
he entirely lost the use of his lower limbs from paralysis, 
and was then confined to his bed and rolling chair. He 
died in December, 1886. He married, in 1S78, Lucy C. 
Pratt of South Berwick, Me. ; no issue. 



126 THE CONANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

Elizabeth, bom 1S34, Aug. 6. Married George W. 

Adams of Boston, Mass. They reside in Tlionotosassa, 
near Tampa, Fla. 

8. HEZEKIAH CONANT, son of Hervey and Dolly 
(Healy) Conant, was born in Dudley, July 28, 1827. Married 
first, Oct. 4, 1S53, Sarah Williams Earned, daughter of 
Col. Morris and Elizabeth (Eaton) Earned, born Dec. 8, 
1839, died July 17, 1855. Married second, November, 1859, 
Harriet Knight Earned, sister of above, born May 10, 182S, 
died July 6, 1864. Married third, Dec. 5, 1865, Mary Eaton 
Knight, daughter of Dr. Samuel P. and Harriet (Eaton) 
Knight, born Jan. 19, 1834. Hezekiah and Harriet K. 
(Earned) Conant had children : — 

Samuel Morris, born 1861, Dec. 9. Married, in Ein- 
coln, R.I., June i, 1887, Nelly Buell Ferguson, and they 
had children: Roger Ferguson Conant, born April 12, 
188S; Morris Ferguson Conant, born Oct. 19, 18S9 ; 
Sylvia Ferguson Conant, born July 27, 1891 ; Harriet 
Knight Ferguson Conant, born Feb. 2, 1893. 

Edith Adina, born 1863, Sept. 19. Married, Feb. 4, 
1885, George M. Thornton, and they had children: 
Edith Thornton, born Nov. 5, 1886; Margery Conant 
Thornton, born July 2, 188S. 



^ecoxb^ of ti^e ^eaft? gtamil^. 



RECORDS OF THE HEALY FAMILY. 



I . JOSHUA and Sarah Healy had children : — 
Joshua, Jr., born 1737, May 6. Married, Dec. 10, 

1749, Sarah Newell, 
t Joseph, born 1739, June 29. 

Mary, born 1730, July i. Married, Dec. i, 174S, 

Jedediah Marcy. 
Abigah. (i),born 1733, Dec. 39. Died Aug. 5, 1741. 
Nathaniel, born 1736, Sept. 3. Died Oct. 5, 1817. 

Married, Sept. 9, 1756, Abigail Carter. 
Samuel, born 173S, Dec. 9. Married, Jan. 16, 1759, 

Phebe Curtis. 
Abigail (3), born 1741, Aug. 5. 

3. JOSEPH HEALY, son of Joshua and Sarah 

( ) Healy, was born June 39, 1739. He married, 

Jan. 3, 1754, Mary Whitman, and they had children: — 

Joseph, jr., born 1754, Aug. 10. Married, Jan. 35, 1790, 

widow Ruth Conant. 
John, born 1756, Jan. 13. Married, April 30, 

17S0, Elizabeth Dairy mple. 
Jedediah, born 1757, .Sept. iS. 
■f- Lemuel, born 1759, Dec. 26. 

Mary, born 1763, Feb. 13. Married, Dec. 37, 17S7, 

Jason Phipps, Jr. 
Hezekiah, born 1766, Oct. S. Married, Nov. 14, 179S, 

Becca Corbin. 
Perley (i), born 1769, Aug. 30. 
Rhoda, born 1773, Apr. 11. The Dudley, Mass., 

town records note, "June 35, 1796, Thomas Dalrymple 

and Rhoda Healy Intend Marriage." 
Perley (3), born 1776, July 26. 
Lucretia, born 177S, Dec. 5. 
Sophia, born 17S3, July 39. 



I30 THE CON ANT MEMORIAL CHURCH. 

3. MAJ. LEMUEL HEALY, son of Joseph and Mary 
(Whitman) Healy, was born Dec. 26, 1759. Died Sept. 11, 
1S37. Was a private in the Revolutionary War, enlisting 
when seventeen years of age ; probably obtained his commis- 
sion as major from militia service. He married, Jan. 7? i79*-'' 
Dolly Corbin. She deceased March 24, 1S43. Maj. Lemuel 
and Dolly (Corbin) Healy had children: — 

Lemuel, Jr. (i), born 1791, Apr. 24. 

Lemuel, Jr. (2), born 1792, Nov. 24. Married, first, 

Dec. 4, 1S17, Sylvia Conant. Married, second, Sept. i, 

1S30, Eliza W^arden. 
Seraph, born 1794, Nov. 7. 

Dolly, born 1796, Dec. 11. 

1S19, Hervey Conant. 
Sylvia, born 1799, Jan. 4. 

1519, Benjamin Leavens, Jr. 
Lucy, born 1801, Aj^r. 14. 

1520, George Waters. 
Davis, born 1S07, Nov. 30. 

1S33, Zeruiah Williams. 



Married May 13, 

Married May 13, 

Married May 1 1 , 

Married, Jan. 16, 




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